St. Louis King of France – Feast Day – 25th August
- RevShirleyMurphy
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
St. Louis, King of France, patron of Tertiaries, was the ninth of his name. He was born at Poissy, France, in 1214. His father was Louis VIII, and his mother was Blanche, daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castille, surnamed the Conqueror. At the age of twelve he lost his father, and his mother became regent of the kingdom. From his tenderest infancy she had inspired him with a love for holy things.
In 1234, he married Margaret, the virtuous daughter of Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, and two years later he took the reigns of government into his own hands. In 1238, he headed a crusade, in which he fell a prisoner among the Mohammedans, but a truce was concluded, and he was set free and he returned to France. In 1267, he again set out for the East at the head of a crusade, but he never again beheld his native land. In 1270, he was stricken by the pestilence at the siege of Tunis, and after receiving the Last Sacraments, he died. His feast day is August 25th.
As Christians, we are desperate for some bold leadership.
Goethe, the famous German author, once wrote, "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid." It is this boldness that the Church needs. It is as true for a local pastor in his parish as it is for a pope on an international scale. The people are desperate for authentic leadership. They are lost and lonely, like sheep without a shepherd.
There is boldness in Christianity when it is truly lived. People are hungry for the truth, but we are afraid to give it to them. The truth will set them free, but we don't have the courage to proclaim it (see John 8:32).
Saint Louis, also known as King Louis IX of France, was one man bold enough to go to war for the Catholic faith—literally. Born on April 25, 1214, Louis ascended to the throne at age 12. Under the guidance of his devout mother, Queen Blanche of Castile, he grew into a leader who fused his deep spirituality with a fearless commitment to justice and truth.
He attended Mass twice daily and was known for his acts of charity, including washing the feet of the poor. His prayer life gave him courage, empowering him to lead with a boldness that inspired his people.
In 1248, to protect Christianity and reclaim the Holy Land, King Louis led the Seventh Crusade. He was captured by enemies in Egypt, but his courage did not waver, and he would not renounce his faith. Eventually Louis was released and chose to remain in the Holy Land for four years, securing the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem.
When he finally returned to France, King Louis applied this same boldness to governing the country. He implemented significant legal reforms, appointed just officials, and created a supreme court for France to hear difficult cases. These actions ruffled the dukes and wealthy landowners, but that did not stop Louis.
At his coronation as king of France, Louis IX bound himself by oath to behave as God’s anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord of the King of Peace. Other kings had done the same, of course. Louis was different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the light of faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought peace and justice.
Louis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His army seized Damietta in Egypt but not long after, weakened by dysentery and without support, they were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the release of the army by giving up the city of Damietta in addition to paying a ransom. He stayed in Syria four years.
Louis deserves credit for extending justice in civil administration. His regulations for royal officials became the first of a series of reform laws. He replaced trial by battle with a form of examination of witnesses and encouraged the use of written records in court.
Louis was always respectful of the papacy, but defended royal interests against the popes, and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV’s sentence against Emperor Frederick II.
Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick, and like his patron Saint Francis, caring even for people with leprosy. He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order. Louis united France—lords and townsfolk, peasants and priests and knights—by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace.
Every day, Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to eat with him, and a large number of poor were served meals near his palace. During Advent and Lent, all who presented themselves were given a meal, and Louis often served them in person. He kept lists of needy people, whom he regularly relieved, in every province of his dominion.
Disturbed by new Muslim advances, Louis led another crusade to North Africa in 1270. Within a month of their landing at Carthage, the army camp was decimated by disease. Louis himself died there at the age of 56.
Saint Louis died during the Eighth Crusade. He was canonized only 27 years later as a role model for all Catholic leaders.
Louis was strong-willed, strong-minded. His word was trusted utterly, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt, especially the “humble folk of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals, churches, libraries, hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings, to whom he gave his life, his family and his country.
Saint Louis of France is a Patron Saint of barbers, hairdressers, builders, construction workers, button makers, distillers, embroiderers, needleworkers, kings, sculptors, soldiers, stoneworkers, bridegrooms, parenthood, parents of large families, prisoners, sick people, and co-patron of the Third Order of Saint Francis Invoked against the death of children and difficult marriages
To be a Christian leader is to hold a position of spiritual leadership. The primary concern of a Christian leader is dedication to the spiritual life. You will never meet a prayerful coward. Virtue is bold, goodness is not fearful, and prayerful leaders are courageous leaders. And courage, like every other virtue, is contagious.
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