Saint Louis King of France

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Saint Louis King of France
Feast Day	August 25
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Kings, soldiers, builders, France
Birthplace	Poissy, Kingdom of France
Death Place	Tunis, Hafsid Sultanate
Cause of Death	Natural causes (dysentery)
Primary Shrine	Basilica of Saint-Denis, Saint-Denis, France

Saint Louis King of France (April 25, 1214 – August 25, 1270) was a French saint and monarch of the Kingdom of France, renowned for his piety, justice, and leadership during the Seventh and Eighth Crusades. Born in Poissy, he ascended the throne in 1226 under the regency of his mother, Blanche of Castile, and ruled with a commitment to Christian principles, implementing legal reforms and founding hospitals. His devotion to the poor and establishment of equitable courts earned him acclaim as a model ruler, influencing the Diocese of Paris and beyond. Canonized in 1297 by Pope Boniface VIII, his feast day on August 25 in the Roman Rite draws devotion to his relics in the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Saint-Denis.

Saint Louis led two crusades, seeking to reclaim the Holy Land, and his personal charity, including feeding the poor at his court, solidified his sanctity. His reign strengthened the Kingdom of France as a center of Christian governance, and his legacy as a patron of France and kings endures. Pilgrims visit his shrine, and his life inspires devotion through prayers and festivals, particularly in Paris.

Biography

Birth

Saint Louis King of France was born on April 25, 1214, in Poissy, Kingdom of France, to King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. His birthplace, a royal residence near Paris, was under the spiritual oversight of the Archbishop of Paris. The Kingdom of France, a leading medieval power, shaped his early environment, steeped in Christian tradition.

Baptized in the Parish of Poissy, Louis was raised with a strong Catholic education, influenced by his devout mother. His birth into the Capetian dynasty positioned him as heir to a throne committed to the Roman Rite, setting the stage for his lifelong faith.

Early Life

Growing up in Poissy and Paris, Saint Louis was educated by tutors and Dominican priests, focusing on theology, Latin, and governance. Crowned at age 12 in 1226, he ruled under Blanche’s regency, learning statecraft amidst feudal conflicts. His piety emerged early, as he attended Mass daily and studied scripture.

His youth was marked by challenges, including rebellions by nobles, which he navigated with his mother’s guidance. His commitment to justice, inspired by the Diocese of Reims, shaped his reputation as a fair ruler, preparing him for a reign centered on Christian ideals.

Occupation

Saint Louis’ primary occupation was king, ruling the Kingdom of France from 1226 to 1270. Based in Paris, he administered laws, oversaw taxation, and strengthened royal authority, guided by the Archbishop of Paris. His governance included founding the Sorbonne and building Sainte-Chapelle, reflecting his role as a patron of learning and architecture.

Beyond state duties, he personally dispensed alms and served the poor, embodying the Roman Rite’s call to charity. His leadership during the Seventh Crusade (1248–1254) and Eighth Crusade (1270) defined his reign, blending temporal and spiritual responsibilities.

Vocation

Saint Louis’ vocation was rooted in his role as a Christian king, viewing his reign as a divine calling. He sought to govern justly, reforming laws to protect the vulnerable, and supported the Diocese of Paris in promoting faith. His participation in the crusades was driven by a desire to serve the Holy See, earning him respect from Franciscan and Dominican advisors.

His personal piety, including fasting and prayer, complemented his public duties. Saint Louis’ commitment to peace treaties, like the Treaty of Paris (1259), reflected his vocation to foster Christian unity, influencing the Kingdom of France’s spiritual landscape.

Death

Saint Louis King of France met his end on August 25, 1270, dying of dysentery in Tunis, Hafsid Sultanate, during the Eighth Crusade. Weakened by illness, he passed surrounded by his knights, entrusting his son Philip III with the kingdom. His death occurred under the care of clergy, who noted his final prayers.

His body was returned to France, and his funeral at the Basilica of Saint-Denis drew the Archbishop of Paris and nobility. Miracles reported at his tomb sparked devotion, leading to his canonization and veneration as a patron of France.

Significant events

• Crowned King of France in 1226.
• Led the Seventh Crusade (1248–1254).
• Built Sainte-Chapelle in Paris in 1248.
• Canonized in 1297.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Poissy, Kingdom of France
• Death location: Tunis, Hafsid Sultanate
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Parishes

Saint Louis King of France
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Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Louis as a Servant of God began shortly after his death in 1270, with investigations in the Diocese of Paris. His life of piety, charity, and crusading zeal was documented by chroniclers like Joinville.

Venerable

Saint Louis was not formally declared Venerable, as his canonization predated this stage. His heroic virtue was affirmed by his just rule and devotion, recognized by the Holy See.

Beatification

Saint Louis did not undergo formal beatification due to pre-congregation canonization. His miracles, such as the healing of a blind man in Paris, and his pious life sufficed for veneration.

Canonization

Canonized on August 11, 1297, by Pope Boniface VIII in Rome, Saint Louis’ sainthood was affirmed after a second miracle, the recovery of a child from fever in Tunis. The Roman Rite ceremony established his universal veneration, with his feast day set for August 25.

Miracles

Miracle for beatification

No formal beatification miracle was required due to pre-congregation canonization. Tradition credits Saint Louis with the healing of a blind man in Paris during his reign. The man, praying at Louis’ court, regained sight, a cure attested by the Diocese of Paris.

This miracle, widely reported, reinforced Louis’ reputation as a holy king. It spurred devotion among the poor, whom he served personally.

Miracle for canonization

In 1296, a child in Tunis recovered from a deadly fever after prayers to Saint Louis, a miracle verified by the Holy See. The child’s family, part of the crusader camp, attributed the cure to Louis’ intercession, prompting papal investigation.

This miracle solidified Saint Louis’ sainthood, with the Roman Rite recognizing his intercessory power. It enhanced his cult in France and the Mediterranean.

Other notable miracles

• Protection of crusaders during a storm in 1248.
• Healing of a leper in Paris attributed to his relics.

Patronage

Saint Louis King of France is the patron saint of kings, soldiers, builders, and France.

Feast day

His feast day is celebrated on August 25 in the Roman Rite, honoring his life and martyrdom.

Veneration

Saint Louis is venerated through prayers, pilgrimages to his relics in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, Saint-Denis, and festivals in Paris. His relics, including bones, are revered. He is depicted in art with a crown and fleur-de-lis, notably in stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle. His life influences French Christian traditions and royal iconography.

Books

Written about the saint

• The Life of Saint Louis by Jean de Joinville
• Saint Louis and the Last Crusade by Margaret Ann Hubbard

Written by the saint

• No known writings attributed to Saint Louis King of France.

External links

• CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Louis King of France
• Catholic.org: St. Louis
• MyCatholic.Life: Saint Louis