Published January 24, 2021, 9:56 AM Roman Catholic churches, missionary groups, seminaries, schools, and religious organizations such as the Order of the Salesians of Don Bosco will offer commemorative masses today in solemn observance of the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists and writers and a Doctor of the Universal Church. WIKIPEDIA/ MANILA BULLETIN Born on Aug. 21, 1567 in Savoy, France, St. Francis was a well-loved preacher, confessor, and charity worker. Ordained priest in 1593, he was appointed bishop of Geneva, Switzerland during the 17th century. He was able to convert thousands to the faith through his effective preaching and co-founded with St. Jane Frances Chantal the Order of the Visitation of the Holy Mother.