Today is the Feast Day of St. Louis IX, King of France
St. Louis, Pray for us!
Today holds a very special day in my heart as I was born in the city named after this great king and saint - St. Louis IX. I was blessed to pray in his personal chapel in Paris in 2019 (St. Chapelle).
A Short Reflection on St. King Louis IX
St. King Louis IX stands as a testament to the profound integration of faith and leadership. In an era when kingship often entailed vast power and prestige, Louis chose to tread the path of humility, drawing his inspiration from the teachings of Christ and the Church.
From a tender age of 12, when he ascended the throne, Louis bore the weight of a kingdom. Yet, amidst the complexities of rulership, he never lost sight of the spiritual dimension of his life. His marriage was not just a union of two souls, but an embodiment of Christian ideals. The upbringing of his eleven children was not merely about grooming heirs, but about instilling virtues.
St. King Louis IX's deep spirit of prayer and penance is a reminder that true leadership is rooted in self-awareness and spiritual discipline. His love for the poor wasn't just an act of charity, but a reflection of Christ's teaching: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).
By founding the Sorbonne and befriending luminaries like St. Thomas Aquinas, Louis showcased the harmony between faith and reason. His membership in the Order of Penitents of St. Francis of Assisi reveals a heart that yearned for simplicity and fraternity, values that the world today desperately needs.
Yet, it was not just in France that his virtues shone. Across Europe, rulers sought his wisdom, recognizing in him not just a king, but a man of deep spiritual insight and integrity. His attempts to liberate the Holy Land through two crusades, though unsuccessful, underscored his commitment to safeguarding the Christian faith and its sacred sites.
St. King Louis IX's departure from this world, near the shores of Carthage in 1270, marked the end of an era. However, his legacy lives on, reminding us that true greatness is not in worldly power, but in the ability to live out one's faith with conviction and love.
As we reflect on his life, may we be inspired to seek a deeper integration of our faith in our daily lives, recognizing that every role, be it of a parent, leader, or friend, can be a path to sanctity.
St Louis' spiritual testament to his son
A just king raises up the earth
My dear son, in the first place I teach you that you must love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your strength; unless you do so you cannot be saved. You must guard yourself from everything that you know is displeasing to God, that is to say, from all mortal sin. You must be ready to undergo every kind of martyrdom rather than commit one mortal sin.
If God sends you tribulation, you ought to endure it, giving thanks, realising that it is for your good, and that, perhaps, you have deserved it. If however the Lord confers some benefit on you, you must humbly thank him, and be on your guard not to become the worse for it, either through vainglory or in any other way. You must not offend God with the very gifts he has given you.
Assist at the Divine Office of the Church with joyful devotion; while you are present in church do not let your gaze wander, do not chat about trifles, but pray to the Lord attentively, either with your lips, or meditating in your heart.
Be compassionate towards the poor, the destitute and the afflicted; and, as far as lies in your power, help and console them. Give thanks to God for all the gifts he has bestowed upon you, so that you will become worthy of still greater gifts. Towards your subjects, act with such justice that you may steer a middle course, swerving neither to the right nor to the left, but lean more to the side of the poor man than of the rich until such time as you are certain about the truth. Do your utmost to ensure peace and justice for all your subjects but especially for clergy and religious.
Devotedly obey our mother, the Roman Church, and revere the Supreme Pontiff as your spiritual father. Endeavour to banish all sin, especially blasphemy and heresy, from your kingdom.
Finally, my dear son, I impart to you every blessing that a loving father can bestow on his son; may the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and all the saints, guard you from all evil. May the Lord grant you the grace to do his will so that he may be served and honored by you, and that, together, after this life we may come to see him, love him and praise him for ever. Amen.
Today’s Mass Collect
O God, who brought Saint Louis from the cares of earthly rule to the glory of a heavenly realm, grant, we pray, through his intercession, that, by fulfilling our duties on earth, we may seek out your eternal Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.