Feast of King St. Louis IX

King St. Louis IX became King of France at age eleven. His mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled as regent until Louis reached the age of twenty-two. Her words to her son echoed in Louis' mind throughout his life, "I would rather see you dead at my feet than guilty of a mortal sin."

Louis and his wife, Queen Marguerite, were the parents of eleven children. King St. Louis IX proved to be a benevolent ruler and father, fostering the Faith in his family and spreading Christianity in France. A franciscan tertiary, he did a great deal to help the sick and the poor. He also spent many hours praying, fasting, and doing penance. King St. Louis IX died in the second Crusade in which he participated.

In a letter to his eldest son, Philip III, King St. Louis IX wrote:

"Therefore, dear son, the first thing I advise is that you fix your whole heart upon God, and love Him with all your strength, for without this no one can be saved or be of any worth."

King St. Louis IX, pray for us!