TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES / by Joe Castorino

Born in the breathtaking majesty of the Alps,

you became the Bishop of Geneva most brave;

You fought bloodless battles against the Calvinists,

and your gentle eloquence many souls did save.

Others preached with a barrel full of vinegar,

and for their listeners this wasn’t at all funny;

But you had the sense to sweeten your sermons

with the most delightful and delicious honey.

In your classic book you show us, the laity,

how to make our ordinary lives a success;

Teaching us to find God in the present moment,

our worried minds are relieved of great stress.

With great wisdom you gave us spiritual direction,

Explaining how we should run the good course,

And so you said in your wondrous compassion,

“We must do all by love and nothing by force.”