St. Louis IX: The King of France Who Became a Saint
Quick answer
St. Louis IX (1214–1270) became King of France at twelve and ruled for over four decades. Raised in deep faith by his mother, Blanche of Castile, he was known for his personal holiness, fair justice and care for the poor. He built the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris to house the Crown of Thorns. He led two crusades and died of illness near Tunis in 1270. He is the only canonized King of France. His feast is August 25.
Key takeaways
- His mother told him she would rather see him dead than commit a mortal sin.
- He fed the poor at his own table and founded hospitals.
- He built the Sainte-Chapelle for the relic of the Crown of Thorns.
- He left his son a famous letter of advice on how to rule as a Christian.
Power tends to corrupt. In St. Louis IX, it was used for God. He shows that holiness is possible in the most demanding of positions.
A Mother’s Faith
Louis was born on April 25, 1214, at Poissy, near Paris. His father, King Louis VIII, died when Louis was twelve, and his mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled as regent. She raised him with great care. She once told him she loved him more than any creature, yet would rather see him dead at her feet than see him commit a mortal sin.
Louis married Margaret of Provence in 1234. They had eleven children.
A Just King
Louis took his duty as a Christian king seriously. He reformed royal officials, outlawed private wars and trial by combat, and was famous for sitting under an oak tree at Vincennes to hear the complaints of anyone who came. He was respected across Europe as a fair judge, and other rulers asked him to settle their disputes.
He attended Mass daily, prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, and fed the poor, sometimes serving them at his own table and washing their feet. He founded hospitals, including the Quinze-Vingts in Paris for the blind.
The Sainte-Chapelle
In 1239 Louis acquired what was venerated as the Crown of Thorns from the emperor of Constantinople. He walked barefoot in procession to receive it. To house it he built the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, with its walls of stained glass that still astonish visitors.
The Crusades
Louis led a crusade to Egypt in 1248. It ended in defeat, and he was captured and ransomed. He stayed in the Holy Land for several years, strengthening the Christian towns. In 1270 he set out again, but at Tunis disease swept through the army. Louis died on August 25, 1270, saying, “Lord, I will enter Your house.”
The crusades were complex events, and the Church today recognizes the sins committed in them. Louis is honored not for military success but for his personal holiness and his care for his people.
Advice to His Son
Louis wrote instructions for his son Philip. He told him to love God with all his heart, to confess often, to be kind to the poor, to defend the Church, and to be just to all.
He was canonized in 1297.
A Prayer for Leaders (Original Prayer)
St. Louis, you ruled with justice and loved the poor. Pray for those who govern our nation, for fathers and mothers, and for all who have authority over others. Help them serve with humility and fairness. Amen.
Continue Reading
Read about St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Joan of Arc, or St. Genevieve, patroness of Paris.
Frequently asked questions
When is the feast of St. Louis IX?
August 25.
Is St. Louis, Missouri, named after him?
Yes. The city was founded in 1764 and named for St. Louis IX, the patron saint of the reigning King Louis XV.
What is St. Louis the patron saint of?
France, the Secular Franciscans, barbers, builders and many dioceses and cities.
Sources
- Jean de Joinville, Life of St. Louis
- St. Louis IX, Teachings to His Son Philip (Enseignements)
- Pope Boniface VIII, Canonization (1297)
