August
25
St. Louis
(King) of France
(1226-1270)
(Patron Saint of: Tertiaries, Barbers, Grooms)
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.
He was crowned king at 12, at his father’s death. His mother, Blanche of
Castile, ruled during his minority. When he was 19 and his bride 12, he was
married to Marguerite of Provence. It was a loving marriage, though not
without challenge. They had 11 children.
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.
He 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 St. Francis (October 4), 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 in Syria, he led another crusade in 1267,
at the age of 41. His crusade was diverted to Tunis for his brother’s sake.
The army was decimated by disease within a month, and Louis himself died on
foreign soil at the age of 44. He was canonized 27 years later.
Stories:
Every day Louis had thirteen 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.
Comment:
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.
Patron Saint of:
Barbers
Grooms
August
25