Saint Francis de Sales did a great deal of preaching. 

At the beginning, he confined himself to Annecy, but as he developed more confidence, and was more accepted, he spread out to areas outside Annecy. 

But he didn't venture into any dangerous areas....yet!  He was being prepared by the Lord, however to evangelize in the dangerous areas around Lake Geneva. 

          This area, the Chablais, which had been ruled by the House of "House of Savoie", had been invaded sixty years before by militant Protestants from Berne who took over the western part of it as well as some provinces on the north shore of the lake. 

Catholic worship was outlawed, and churches were burned or destroyed when not appropriated for Protestant use.  Religious orders were suppressed and priests were exiled. 

          Thirty years later, the Duke of Savoie was able to get this area back, only he had to agree to the condition that the Catholic religion remain forbidden. 

He accepted, hoping to get his foot in the door.  In 1589, the Protestants from Berne invaded again and lost.  Only this time, in the peace treaty, the Duke insisted the Catholic Faith be allowed to be taught and followed.  The way was opened for Catholics to come in and try to build up the Church again.  But the Protestants broke their word and tried to recapture the area without success.

          But it was still a stronghold of  "Calvinism" and Calvinists.  The situation seemed hopeless.  As long as the Calvinists held a grip on the area, neither the Church nor the Duke of Savoie had a chance to bring the people back to the Faith. 

The Duke asked the bishop to send missionaries at least into the little duchy of "Chablais, duchy of", in an attempt to convert some of those who had turned to Calvinism.  In response, the bishop sent a priest, who was from Chablais, thinking he would be acceptable to the people because they knew him.  That didn't work, and the priest had to flee for his life.

          The bishop called a meeting of his chapter.  Without trying to soft pedal any of it, he explained the problem to them.  We don't know why Francis de Sales was the only one who seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.  Yet he got up and volunteered to do the job.  He spoke very directly and gently, "My Lord, if you think I'm capable of undertaking this mission, tell me to go.  I'm ready to obey and should be happy to be chosen."[1]  He was unanimously accepted, with good reason.  No one else wanted the job.  However, it was at this point that his father stood up.  He appealed to the bishop. 

His son was only twenty seven years old.  He had a bright future ahead of him.  Perhaps he wanted to die a martyr's death, but that was not why the Lord brought him into the world.  He was so passionate in his plea to the bishop that he was on the verge of calling the whole thing off.  (He was not really sold on the project in the first place.)  But Francis stood up and convinced the bishop into letting the project go on, as they had planned it.

          There were no volunteers other than his cousin Canon Louis de Sales and Francis.  On September 14, 1594, the Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross, they set forth to win back the Chablais for Jesus.  They traveled from Annecy to the border of the Chablais region at which point they sent their horses back.  They wanted to be like the apostles, following Jesus' mandate to them, "Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road...Wherever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, `The Kingdom of God has come near to you.'"[2]  They chose to go on foot from that point on.

          The remnant of the once great Catholic population, amounted to about twenty scattered individuals, too petrified of the consequences to declare themselves openly. 

These, Francis worked with and tried to bring back the love of Jesus which they had known.  The raggedy missionaries worked originally in the one town, Thonon, preaching daily, and eventually gradually extending their efforts to the villages in the surrounding countryside.  They do remind us of the early travels of Saints Paul and Barnabas on the island of Cyprus, as written in the Acts of the Apostles.  They didn't catch many fish there.  The same seemed to apply here. 

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Viewer's Comments
Dear Bob and Penny:
I just saw your Super Saints presentation on Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal. Thank you for closing your show by saying that Jesus is calling us to be great Saints. In a world that treats people anonymously, it is important to remember that we are specially, infinitely, deeply loved by Jesus, and that He made each one of us for a special saintly purpose. And thank you for saying, “We love you” at the end of each show. These words aren’t said often enough today.
We love you! God bless,
E. R. email

Click Here to View NewAdvent.Org Article on Sts. Francis de Sales & Jane Frances de Chantal

Saints Francis de Sales
&
Jane Frances de Chantal

Taped in Annecy, France.
Visit the shrines of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, in Annecy, France, nestled deep in the French Alps.

Visit his chateau which is still inhabited by members of his family.  

Go to the majestic church of the Visitation, protecting the town, where both Saints are buried.

For Spanish DVD click below

Saint Francis De Sales Minibook
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Super Saints Trilogy Book III
Defenders of the Faith
Saints of the Counter-Reformation

Saint Ignatius of Loyola Soldier - Poet - Mystic - Author Defender of the Faith - Founder of the Society of Jesus

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Along with Saint Francis de Sales she came up with a strict rule of life for herself - caring for her children - visiting the poor and the dying.

Saint Charles Borromeo Hero of the Counter-Reformation Saint of the People - Renounced his possessions - Founder of Seminaries - Archbishop of Milan - Instituted reforms.

Saint Teresa of Avila Doctor of the Church - Reformer of the Carmelites - Mystic - Transverberation of the heart - She turned the dire times of the 16th Century into a time of true reform.

Popes of the Counter-Reformation Saint Pius V - Leo X Hadrian VI - Clement VII - Paul III - Julius III - Marcellus II - Paul IV - Pius IV - Faced the dangers of the time and fought.

Saint Francis de Sales "The measure of love is to love without measure." - Founder of the Visitation Order Doctor of the Church - Patron of Journalists

Saint Vincent de Paul Apostle of Charity-sold into slavery suffered persecution-founded the Daughters of Charity.

Saint Philip Neri Apostle of the Laity - Levitated while saying Mass - Our Lady saved his life - Gift of Prophecy - Bi-located - Liberated those possessed by devil.

Saint Robert Bellarmine Cardinal - Doctor of the Church - Father of the Counter-Refomation

Code BDF           224 pages       Many Photos
ISBN 1-58002-134-4                $11.95

More on Saint Francis de Sales at
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 V120 - Saint Philip Neri

Apostle of Rome and the Laity

Walk the streets of Rome where Saint Philip Neri began his ministry.

Follow him as he teaches the brothers, who are now the Oratorians.

Visit Chiesa Nuova, the Church where he lived, died, experienced Ecstasy, Our Lady appeared to him and where Pope John Paul II went to honor him.

Discover the many Miracles that took place during his life.

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Viewer's Comments
Dear Bob and Penny:
I just saw your Super Saints presentation on Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal. Thank you for closing your show by saying that Jesus is calling us to be great Saints. In a world that treats people anonymously, it is important to remember that we are specially, infinitely, deeply loved by Jesus, and that He made each one of us for a special saintly purpose. And thank you for saying, “We love you” at the end of each show. These words aren’t said often enough today.
We love you! God bless,
E. R. email

V121 - Saints Francis de Sales
&
Jane Frances de Chantal

Visit the shrines of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, in Annecy, France, nestled deep in the French Alps.

Visit his chateau which is still inhabited by members of his family.  

Go to the majestic church of the Visitation, protecting the town, where both Saints are buried.

V136 - Saint Vincent de Paul

One of the most powerful Saints of France.  He was sold into slavery.

Go to Paris and the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, where his incorrupt heart is venerated.  

Go to the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul where his life story is recounted in stained glass windows and where his incorrupt body is visible.

A Defender of the Faith

D36 - Sts. John of the Cross &
Teresa of Avila

Avila - Visit the house where Saint Teresa was born and the cell where she received Transverberation of the heart.

Alba de Tormes - Where she died. Venerate her incorrupt body.

Medina del Campo - Visit chapel where Saint John celebrated his first Mass and the Cathledral in

Salamanca where he was ordained.

One Hour Special
ISBN 0-926143-83-2 $19.95

 V125 - Saint Nicholas of Tolentino

Champion of the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Go to Tolentino where Saint Nicholas had his ministry.

Visit his church and monastery.
Pray at his tomb, at the Shrine to his incorrupt arm, a reliquary attesting to the thousands of cures and healings attributed to him.
See the tribute to the miracles on behalf of the Poor Souls in Purgatory.

V162 Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Founder of the Jesuits

This video has been two years in the making

Go to Loyola, Spain at the foot of the Pyrenees, where he was born.  Originally, a soldier, he threw down his sword to serve the Lord and his Lady. 

Go to Montmartre in Paris, where he took his first vows, and to Rome where he was ordained and took his final vows in Saint Paul Outside the Walls. 

Visit the Gesu in Rome where he died in 1556 and is buried.

ISBN 1-58002-082-8    $19.95

V153 - Saint Charles Borromeo

Hero of the Counter-Reformation

Created CCD in its original form

Scenes from his life begining in Arona, birthplace of Saint Charles.

On to Pavia, where he attended the University,

then to Trent, where he worked on the Council of Trent,

to Rome and

to Milan where he was Archbishop. 

Visit the Cathedral in Milan where he is buried. 

See Stained-glass windows depicting the story of his life.

ISBN 1-58002-073-9  $19.95

V143 - Saint Teresa of Avila
Carmelite Reformer

Come to Avila, to the Convent of the Incarnation where she had mystical experiences, including Transverberation of the Heart.

Scenes from  San José in Avila,
Valladolid, and
Alba de Tormes where she died.

See her incorrupt arm and heart.

V144 - Saint John of the Cross
Saint - Mystic - Poet - Reformer

ISBN 1-58002-036-4     $19.95

V183 - Saint Dominic

Based on Bob and Penny Lord’s book,
"Journey to Sainthood."
Founder of the Order of Preachers,

V138 - SaintCatherine de' Ricci

This video is based on the Chapter on Saint Catherine de ’Ricci in 
Bob and Penny Lord ’s book,
"Visions of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory."

This very special Saint was mystically married to Jesus, and possessed a special ring from Him. She had the gift of the Stigmata , and to Rome to have meetings with SaintPhilip Neri. Come to Prato, Italy to the Convent of SaintVincent where the Saint lived and is buried. Her body is incorrupt.  See the Miraculous statue of Our Lady which saved the Nuns from barbarians.

ISBN 1-58002-064-X   $19.95

Click below for DVDs on the above  Journey to Sainthood Saints.

Bl. Junipero Serra His last ounce of blood shed for the Church, he loved and brought to the Native Americans, he died as he lived, praying for those he was leaving behind.

Saint Frances (Mother) Cabrini Pope Leo XIII told her. "Your mission will be in America to help the Italians and make your country loved." Mother Cabrini said, "Yes!"

Saint Paschal Baylon Proclaimed by Pope Leo XIII Patron of Eucharistic Congresses, he was never ordained a Priest.

Saint Leopold Mandic Although he would be considered imperfect today (barely 4' 6") this Saint of Reconciliation brought about consolation and hope to thousands.

Saint Dominic Watchdog of God - He fought the Albigensianist heresy - Our Lady gave him the Rosary with the mandate to spread it to all her children.

Saint Angela Merici I want to become a Saint, because I love Jesus. She had visions of Heaven, of Jesus, as well as the devil. She battled the Protestant Revolt with education.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton A faithful daughter - a loving wife and mother - an obedient Nun - a lover of the Eucharist and Mother Mary - a role model for today

Bl. Frederic Thanks to him, Our Lady of the Cap Shrine became the meeting ground for every kind of physical and moral distress. The sick found healing; sinners were filled with remorse.

Code BJS               224 pages           Many Photos
ISBN 1-58002-132-8            $11.95

Click below to see DVDs on the above  Holy Innocence

             Super Saints Trilogy Book II
         Holy Innocence
               The Young and the Saintly

Saint Maria Goretti Saint of Purity and of Youth, and of the 20th century - Role model for chastity in our world today.

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Went into ecstasy. Trained to be a Knight, he chose the most physically and demeaning work.

Saint Margaret of Castello Patron of the Unwanted. Unloved and abandoned by her family, till today, miracles upon miracles come about through her intercession.

Saint Dominic Savio Patron of Youth and Chastity - Student of Saint John Bosco - His motto, "Death but not sin."

Saint Gabriel Possenti Co-Patron of Italian Catholic Youth Like our youth today, struggling with temptations, he chose Jesus and Mary rather than the world.

Saint Rose of Viterbo Incorrupt body - She went among the villagers of Viterbo, feeding their bodies and souls.

Saint Stanislaus Kostka Traded in fame on Earth for everlasting peace and joy in Heaven - a role model for what mankind can be - for all ages and all times.

Saint Philomena Saint of Chastity - Read the heroic story of a young Christian Martyr of the early Church.

Code BHI           224 pages              Many Photos
ISBN 1-58002-133-6               $11.95

Click below for DVDs on the above Defenders of the Faith Saints.

Super Saints Trilogy Book III
Defenders of the Faith
Saints of the Counter-Reformation

Saint Ignatius of Loyola Soldier - Poet - Mystic - Author Defender of the Faith - Founder of the Society of Jesus

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Along with Saint Francis de Sales she came up with a strict rule of life for herself - caring for her children - visiting the poor and the dying.

Saint Charles Borromeo Hero of the Counter-Reformation Saint of the People - Renounced his possessions - Founder of Seminaries - Archbishop of Milan - Instituted reforms.

Saint Teresa of Avila Doctor of the Church - Reformer of the Carmelites - Mystic - Transverberation of the heart - She turned the dire times of the 16th Century into a time of true reform.

Popes of the Counter-Reformation Saint Pius V - Leo X Hadrian VI - Clement VII - Paul III - Julius III - Marcellus II - Paul IV - Pius IV - Faced the dangers of the time and fought.

Saint Francis de Sales "The measure of love is to love without measure." - Founder of the Visitation Order Doctor of the Church - Patron of Journalists

Saint Vincent de Paul Apostle of Charity-sold into slavery suffered persecution-founded the Daughters of Charity.

Saint Philip Neri Apostle of the Laity - Levitated while saying Mass - Our Lady saved his life - Gift of Prophecy - Bi-located - Liberated those possessed by devil.

Saint Robert Bellarmine Cardinal - Doctor of the Church - Father of the Counter-Refomation

Code BDF           224 pages       Many Photos
ISBN 1-58002-134-4                $11.95