For St. Francis de Sales, the Rosary was more than a prayer—it was a way of life. He called it “the greatest method of praying,” a daily act of surrender to God through Mary. Even when tired at night, he never went to sleep without finishing his beads.
St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), founder of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary and Doctor of the Church, was known for his gentle wisdom and deep faith. As Bishop of Geneva, he taught that holiness is not only for priests or nuns. It is a call for everyone. For him, the best way to grow in holiness was through the Holy Rosary, which he called “the greatest method of praying.”
St. Francis believed that the Rosary is more than a devotion. It is a way to grow closer to God through Mary. To help people pray it well, he taught a simple three-part method that turns the Rosary into a prayer of total surrender to God.
Before praying the mysteries, he asked the faithful to offer themselves to the Blessed Trinity by greeting Mary as the Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son, and the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. This short prayer helps us give ourselves completely to God from the very start.
As we pray the mysteries, we reflect on the life of Jesus with Mary and allow His love to shape our hearts. At the end of the Rosary, St. Francis encouraged us to return to the first three beads—to offer our mind to the Father, our heart to the Son, and our will to the Holy Spirit. In this way, the Rosary becomes a prayer of love and surrender to God.
St. Francis was faithful to this devotion. One night, after a long and tiring day, he realized he had not yet finished his Rosary. Even when told to rest, he knelt down and completed his prayer before sleeping. This shows his great love and perseverance in prayer.
Through his example, St. Francis teaches us that holiness comes from small but faithful acts of love. Like him, may we pray the Rosary each day with devotion, offering our whole self to God through Mary.
Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us, that our love in prayer may never fail!