born Aug. 21, 1567, Thorens-Glières, Savoy
died Dec. 28, 1622, Lyon; canonized 1665; feast day January 24
Roman Catholic bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church.
He studied in Paris and at Padua and was ordained in 1593. He was consecrated bishop of Geneva in 1602. In 1610, with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, he founded the Visitation of Holy Mary (the Visitation Nuns), a teaching order. His Introduction to a Devout Life (1609) argued that spiritual perfection is possible for ordinary individuals busy with worldly affairs. He was an active opponent of Calvinism . Pius XI named him patron saint of writers.