Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Louis King of France. He was born in 1215. His mother was a very good Catholic and taught him the Catholic faith, and all about God’s heavenly kingdom. Louis often times would say “Death rather than mortal sin.” which is what his mother taught him.
His mother prepared him to be truly a holy king. He was crowned king when he was only 12 years old. Can you imagine a 6th grader being made king of France? Even though he became king of France at the age of 12, his mother ran the actual ran the government until Louis was 22.
He was taught by Franciscan Friars and later became a Third Order Franciscan.
Amidst the cares of government, he daily recited the Divine Office and attended two Masses everyday. In his kingly territory, he crushed the Albigensian heretics and forced them by stringent penalties to respect the Catholic faith.
As king, he became gravely sick and made a promise to the Lord that if his health would improve, he would lead a crusade to free the Holy Land from Muslims, because they had taken control and pushed out Christians.
When he went with his army to fight the Muslims in the Holy Land, he was captured and taken prisoner. Despite being a prisoner, he continued to daily pray the Divine Office. While in prison, the Muslims said they would release him from prison, but only, if he denied Jesus. He refused to deny our Blessed Lord because He loved Him with all his heart, mind and soul.
While captive, a Muslim commander rushed into his tent brandishing a dagger red with blood after the killed the Sultan, and threatened to stab him also unless he would make him a knight. Louis calmly replied that no unbeliever could perform the duties of a Christian knight. Sometime later he was freed from prison due to his mother’s death.
Louis was a very good king. Even though, he had lots of money, as king, he used it wisely taking care of the poor.
He would not tolerate those who spoke filthy words, or permit people to say bad things of others. Once he said, “I would willingly have my own lips branded to root out blasphemy from my kingdom."
He was able to obtain the actual Crown of Thorns of Jesus, and built a Catholic Church in Paris, where he placed the Thorns.
Due to Muslims again taking over the Holy Land, he decided to start another Crusade to battle against them. While on the journey, some of his soldiers became ill. Because he visited them, he contracted the illness himself and died before he could go to the Holy Land.
St. Louis and his wife had 12 children, whom he daily prayed with. Before dying he wrote a beautiful letter to one of his sons, who would take over his throne upon his death.
In the letter, he states, “My dearest son, I exhort you above all else to love the Lord your God with your whole heart and with all your strength; there is no salvation apart from this. Keep yourself free from everything you know to be displeasing to God, that is, from every mortal sin. You must be willing to suffer any kind of martyrdom rather than commit a grievous sin. Be kindly disposed toward the poor, the wretched and afflicted; help them as much as you can and console them. Be just towards your subjects. Incline to the poor man’s side rather than to the rich man until you are certain where the truth lies. Be devoted and obedient to our mother, the Church of Rome, and to the supreme pontiff as your spiritual father. Work to eradicate all sin from your country, especially blasphemy and heresy. May the Blessed Trinity and all the saints protect you from all evil. May the Lord grant you the grace to do His will in such a way as to serve him and honor him; and after this life may we both meet to see, love and praise Him without end. Amen.”
Due to Muslims who took over the Holy Land, he started another crusade. In Tunisia, after his soldiers contracted a serious illness, Louis became sick and received Viaticum (Holy Communion for the last time) kneeling by his camp-bed, and gave up his life with the same joy that he had given all else for the honor of God.
The city of St. Louis Missouri is named after St. Louis, King of France. A few years ago, a mob tried to destroy the famous statue at St. Louis, however, faithful Catholics stood by the statue round the clock to protect it from being destroyed.
St. Louis gives us an example of faithfully fulfilling one’s state of life. As a Third Order Franciscan, he helps us to see the beauty of living a life of poverty, chastity and obedience and the virtue of loving God and country.
Today, may we be faithful to the Christian way of life God has called us and as patriots to our country.
May the Virgin Mary, guide us to fulfill our daily duties with joy and zeal to share our faith with others to help them obtain heaven. St. Louis, King of France, pray for us.
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