Francis de Sales owes much - both naturally and supernaturally - to the Jesuits. He was their student for ten years (1578-1588) at the Clermont College, in Paris. At the time of his theological studies (15831591) in Padua, his counselor and spiritual director was the renowned Father Possevino. During his priestly and Episcopal life, he often chose to make his spiritual retreats (more particularly the retreat preceding his Episcopal ordination) under the guidance of the then-rector of the Chambery College, Father Jean Fourier. Far from subduing the specific genius and grace of Francis, this formation was instrumental to their full bloom and it contributed to make of him a being of freedom, the freedom of the children of God». He rightly deserves his title of Doctor Amoris, being both Doctor Amoris Dei and Doctor Amoris Hominis
