St. Francis de Sales was born on August 21, 1567 and this year 2017 will be the 450th anniversary of his birth.
Dioceses, parishes and schools around the world are celebrating this anniversary in special ways.
Today we feature the Diocese of Lipa, Phillippines with their plans of celebration.
This News that can bring us joy and touch us, make us move and inspire us. Bishop Ramón C. Argüelles, Archbishop of Lipa (Philippines), declared a special year, St. Francis de Sales, during which the Salesian season, which will last for a period of 7 years when the clergy, seminarians and Diocese will be invited to deepen their knowledge of this saint. You will find below the decree in its entirety.
DECREE
450th Anniversary of the Birth of the Doctor of Divine Love
Since St. Francis de Sales is one of the most important saints in the history of the Church,
That its importance rests not only on the depth of its holiness, but also on the spiritual legacy it left to the faithful of the following generations,
That his writings, in particular the Introduction to the devout life and the Treatise on the Love of God, are great spiritual treasures that must be disseminated to the clergy, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese of Lipa, of the,
For nearly a century, the various levels of formation (college, high school, training institute, faculty, and the two cycles of the seminary philosophy and theology) of the local church of Lipa have been named and placed under the patronage of This Savoyard, Holy Doctor of the Church, the only seminary consecrated in this predominantly Catholic country,
That the Catholic world will commemorate the 450th anniversary of its birth in 2017 and in 2022 the 450th anniversary of its entry into eternity,
Since Saint Francis de Sales had as main objective, in his spiritual teachings, the sanctity of the ordinary lay faithful,
That the great majority of the lay faithful need to be helped by Salesian spirituality to respond to God’s call to a holy life,
That it is thus known that, by this decree, the archdiocese of Lipa:
Observe a special year devoted to Saint Francis de Sales, from August 21, 2016 to August 21, 2017.
Launches during this Salesian year a Salesian season from August 4, 2016 to January 24, 2017.
Aims to deepen the knowledge of the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales among the clergy, seminarians and faithful of the local Church.
Institutes the 24th day of each month, the day of St. Francis de Sales, encouraging parishes and institutions to commemorate this day with a better knowledge of this Holy Doctor and a reflection on his spiritual message.
Disseminate the spirituality of the Doctor of Divine Love beyond the limits of the diocese of Lipa.
Brings together all the former students of the Saint Francis de Sales seminars on August 21 or near, to unite and guide them so that they live fully in their daily lives and that of their loved ones, the teachings of life and writings Of St. Francis de Sales.
May the Lord and his Blessed Mother, whom St. Francis de Sales faithfully serve, bless all those who seek closer ties with heaven under the guidance of St. Francis de Sales, leading a devout life, confident in the love of God who makes them live.
Given on 4 August of the year 2016 Lord, extraordinary jubilee of Mercy throughout the world and Eucharistic Family Year in the Archdiocese of Lipa, in preparation, with all the Church of the Philippines, the 500th anniversary of the The arrival of Christianity on Philippine soil.
Monsignor Ramon C. Argüelles