St. Francis de Sales, January 24
Bishop of Geneva, living in Annecy, Francis de Sales (1567-1622) wrote the Introduction to the Devout Life, showing that holiness is possible for laypeople in the world. He preached with gentleness in a time of religious war. He is a Doctor of the Church and patron of journalists and writers.
On the General Roman Calendar, January 24 is a memorial: Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor.
Other saints on January 24
- St. Babylas, bishop of Antioch and martyr (3rd century)
Name days on January 24
In countries that keep name days, January 24 is the day for people named Francis.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Francis | October 4 |
January 24 on the calendar
January 24 is the 24th day of the year, with 341 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | Monday |
| 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | Thursday |
Keeping January 24
January 24 falls in winter. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Francis, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around January 24
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| January 21 | St. Agnes |
| January 22 | St. Vincent of Saragossa |
| January 23 | St. Marianne Cope |
| January 25 | Conversion of St. Paul |
| January 26 | Sts. Timothy and Titus |
| January 27 | St. Angela Merici |
The day before, January 23, is the day of St. Marianne Cope. The day after, January 25, belongs to Conversion of St. Paul. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.