Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of John (15: 9-17) in which Jesus says, ‘This is my commandment: Love each other as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.’ Afterwards, Fr Paul shares a little about the life of St Francis De Sales whose memorial we celebrate today.

Fr Paul says Francis was born in Savoy. He studied law, and then despite the opposition of his father he was ordained to the priesthood. His first mission was to re-evangelize the people of his home district (the Chablais), who had gone over to Calvinism.

Always in danger of his life from hostile Calvinists, he preached with such effectiveness that after four years most of the people had returned to the Church.

Francis was then appointed bishop of Geneva and spent the rest of his life reforming and reorganising the diocese, and in caring for the souls of his people by preaching and spiritual guidance. About preaching Francis said, “whoever wants to preach effectively must preach with love.”

St Francis is the patron saint of writers and journalists.

Today, Fr Paul invites us to ask, ‘St Francis De Sales… Pray for us!’