Fr. Seelos was always known for his cheerfulness. A university companion, Anton Schirsner, said of him:
“He was always so cheerful, so full of life and of almost exuberant gaiety that everyone had to love him. Somberness, gloomy seriousness, moodiness, and so forth, were strangers to him.
Toward all he was full of straightforward friendliness, openness, and goodness of heart. But what constituted the foundation of the whole man, from a psychic and spiritual point of view, and from which he must be understood if one wants to describe him to you and to others, is his purity of heart.” (p. 33)
Seelos was beloved and he always enjoyed life with others. But he never allowed himself to become complacent with his spiritual life.
During one of his retreats, he reflected on the path toward good ministry for him. He was speaking to himself and thus addressed himself by the name his family called him – Xavier:
“Xavier, you must be transfigured and consecrated through fasting and prayer. Then you will be strong. The mute will confess their sins; the rigid will become soft, repent of their guilt, admit their misery, make use of their means. The foolish and stupid will be enlightened. You will awaken those burning in the fire of lust that they may not perish. Those agonizing in the abyss of despair will come forth and breathe the divine air of mercy. Those attached to the things of this world will seek for help from heaven. The weak and the wavering will become strong. Those foaming with anger and those snapping for revenge will become meek and mild. Those hardened in sin from their youth will be renewed and become children of God.” (p. 53)
It was in large part the balance that Fr. Seelos was able to attain in living his spiritual life. He was intense in his conviction and in the execution of that conviction but he never lost the zest for life. His people knew both parts of Blessed Francis Seelos.
(The quotes above are taken from the writings presented in the cause of being declared to have practiced heroic virtue, the kind of virtue needed for canonization: POSITIO SUPER VITA, VIRTUTIBUS ET FAMA SANCTITATIS, Vol. I .)