By Edward J. Carney OSFS

This study attempts to present St. Francis de Sales’ thought on Mary as found in his own writings. The procedure followed has been to let him speak for himself, and only what is necessary for unity and continuity has been added. Teaching ascribed to him by his contemporaries or later authors has not been included.

The present work is divided into five parts. The first four are drawn from the authentic works of the saint. Included are texts taken from the two sermons mentioned above, the one on the funeral oration, the other on the Assumption. Because of the doubt about the sermons the last section is formed entirely from them and covers the same subject matter as the second part — dogmatic teaching on Mary. Such a procedure presents an opportunity of comparing the saint’s thought expressed in works clearly authentic with that in writings which are called into question. As can be seen, the teaching is substantially the same in both instances.

This study on St. Francis de Sales contributes to the growing collection of works on Mary. It is hoped that through it a deeper devotion to God’s Mother may flourish in the hearts of the faithful.