The medieval world esteemed Saint Louis the ideal king. His parents’ influence was paramount in shaping him. His mother, Queen Blanche, took St. Louis to recite the services of the Divine Office and to attend two Masses each day. She took special care to instill in her young son the highest reverence for matters of virtue and religion.
She impressed this on him in a particular manner with her statement:
“I love you, my dear son, with all the tenderness a mother is capable of; but I would infinitely rather see you fall down dead at my feet, than that you should ever commit a mortal sin.”
St. Louis was a loving husband and father of 11 who passed on the spiritual legacy he received from his parents to his own children. St. Louis told his children to have hearts of tenderness and pity to those who are poor and afflicted, and to comfort and help them as much as they could.
St. Louis had great love for the poor and cared for them with much compassion
- He served the poor in their own houses inviting some to eat at his own table. He fed over 100 people daily in his palace.
- He washed the feet of some of the poor every Saturday. When some of his nobles suggested these practices unsuitable for a king, Louis IX advised them that in the poor, he recognized and honored Christ himself.
- Louis made many visits to hospitals and would not avoid those with the worst afflictions. Instead, he would kneel down tending them and cherishing them with love.
Final Instructions to his Son
Louis IX gave final instructions to his eldest son before he died. The opening paragraphs is as follows:
“Fair son, the first thing I would teach you is to set your heart to love God; for unless one loves God none can be saved. Keep yourself from doing anything that is displeasing to God, that is to say, away from mortal sin. Contrariwise you should suffer every manner of torment rather than commit a mortal sin.”
On August 24, 1270, Louis received the last sacraments and the next day, on August 25, he died with the last words, “Into Thy hands I commend my soul.”
When bringing back the bones of the dead king from North Africa to Paris, miracles began to occur and these multiplied in Paris, at the court, and particularly at St. Denis. Louis IX of France was buried at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Denis, north of Paris.
Canonization
Louis IX of France (b.1214, r.1226, d.1270) was canonized in 1297, twenty-seven years after his death in Tunisia while on crusade. Louis was the only king canonized in the thirteenth century, the last saint-king of the Middle Ages and the only king of France to be canonized.
St. Louis, pray for us.
- To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
