Saints are frequently considered very distant and remote figures. What do I mean? I mean that that at one and the same time we can both recognize familiar aspects of church history and tradition and yet concurrently feel that somehow what we see and experience is remote from what this or that saint experienced. In point of fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The continuity that exists over the centuries is such that very often what we ourselves find familiar are things that the saints themselves would also find familiar.
A recent example came forward that might help illustrate the point. We have shown many chasubles here that include the arms (stemma) of prelates upon them. Many enjoy the artistic beauty and interest these provide, but as far as the saints are concerned? Surely not one might think. Well, thank again. The following is an example of a chasuble which belonged to St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), bishop of Geneva, which include his own stemma. They don't look much different than many of the examples we have shown here do they? That is because they are not. Continuity is a beautiful thing.
In addition to this chasuble, we also have this example of one of his rochet's which has also been preserved.
