King St. Louis IX of France (1214-1270)
St. Louis IX is one of the glorious jewels in the crown of Christ the King. We can learn a great deal from him, especially how much good a truly saintly ruler can accomplish; as well as how a nation truly ought to be governed when Christ is enthroned as its King and He rules through His saints. In particular, I believe we should implore his intercession as we consider the election of our political officials.
EARLY LIFE
Louis IX was born and baptized on April 25, 1215 near Chartres, France - and because of that honored this place above all others throughout his life. His mother was Queen Blanche, daughter of King Alfonsus IX of Castille, who fought many valiant battles against the Moors and was one of the most important figures in the Spanish Reconquista. Queen Blanche concerned herself with the education of her son, most especially his formation in the Christian virtues. She taught him much regarding Latin, public speaking, government, history, diplomacy, and yet above all, she taught him to esteem and revere all that regarded the divine worship of God. When he was but very young, she often reminded him: "I love you, my dear son, with all the tenderness a mother is capable of; but I would infinitely rather see you fall down dead at my feet than that you should ever commit a mortal sin." (Every parent ought to strive with all their might to imitate this example – to repeat these words regularly to their children and to sincerely believe them in the profound depths of their soul.) The King frequently said to others what a strong impression this important lesson made on his mind and it was never effaced during his whole life. Not a day passed by when he did not excite within himself vigorously the desire to avoid all temptation and occasion for mortal sin.
ASCENDANCY TO THE THRONE
In 1223, King Philip II passed away and Louis VIII became king. At that time, Louis IX was only 8 years old and his father was 36. In 1226, his father died and the twelve year old boy became King. His mother, Blanche, was declared regent for her son.
Queen Blanche hastened to have him crowned to prevent seditions. The young boy took his coronation very seriously, spending vigils in prayer and performing penances in preparation for his enthronement. He asked for the grace to truly be an anointed one of God. He approached the crown with holy fear and humility, taking the coronation oath at the Cathedral in Rheims and adding his own resolution: begging God to give him the light and strength to employ his authority, according to his duty, only for the divine honor, defense of the Church, and the good of his people. Several of the greatest lords in France refused to attend the ceremony; instead they began to plot against him. The Queen and her son rode into battle and defeated these would-be usurpers, but the seditionists only became craftier in their designs. These abhorrent rebels almost captured the young King at Orleans, but warning was given and the people themselves rushed to their king's aid and spirited him away from the aggressors and to the safety of Paris. The entire time that he reigned as a minor, the King was beset by these kinds of troubles, but with artful diplomacy and prudence, Queen Blanche was able to prevent them all.
She also helped the King consolidate his power. He defeated the Albigensian heretics in the South, ensuring that this land would return to France and/or Spain. (The Albigensians were heretics who rejected the dogma that God had created the physical world, including the human body, as something good. They also advocated violence and the usurpation of rightful authority; thus every Christian State considered them revolutionary traitors.) In the North, peace was secured with England's Henry III and France was able to support the Crusades in Palestine. In all his victories, Louis IX never sought revenge or brutal spoils of war. Instead he only sought the advantages peace brought to his subjects.
FAITHFUL SON OF HOLY MOTHER CHURCH
St. Louis IX had a great love for the Church, respected all Churchmen, but did not hesitate to severely reprimand and call to task those bishops who betrayed Christ and His Church. He worked tirelessly to bring about peace between the Pope and Emperor, who at this time were at great odds on account of the dispute of investiture (when the Emperor attempts to nominate and assign bishops and does not allow the Pope to do so). He never found himself happier than when he enjoyed the conversation of good priests or religious men of eminent sanctity, and he often invited such to his royal table. His temperance and mortification were also great, and he practiced great austerity amidst the delicacies of the royal table and pomp of the noble court. He banished from the court all diversions which are dangerous to morals, but as a lover of song and music had festivals of great joy and cheerfulness. He himself always seemed to have a serene and pleasant disposition, knowing "all things have their time." He strove greatly in the virtue of humility and was always modest in dress and conduct. He was extremely disciplined, ruled his army with exactness, and guided his councils with diligence to duty. He was extremely generous, giving much to the poor. He often even invited them to his table, and was known as well to wash their feet and visit them in hospitals. His life of prayer was intense, including daily Mass and the recitation of the Divine Office. He confessed 2-3 times a week, used an undershirt of hair cloth and the discipline, and generously granted land, buildings, and wealth to the religious and the Church. He helped found numerous monasteries and hospitals.
When it was expedient for him to marry, he chose the most virtuous woman he knew: Margaret, descended from the royal house of Aragon. They imitated Tobias and Sarah in the marriage preparations, were united in holy Matrimony on 27 May 1234, and God blessed their marriage with a constant union of hearts and plentiful offspring. They also observed continence throughout Lent and all the festivals prescribed so by the ancient canons of the Church.
Bladwin II, Emperor of Constantinople, in 1239 gave Louis IX as a present the holy Crown of Thorns, which previously had been in his imperial palace. When it arrived, St. Louis met the returning Dominicans miles from the river Seine and made a grand procession into Paris. He and his brother lead the rejoicing and prayerful crowd, making the pilgrimage barefoot. The city was magnificently adorned and the Crown of Thorns was enthroned at the Church of St. Nicholas. He also distributed several of the thorns to other Churches and religious in other nations. Later he also received as a gift from the East a large relic of the Holy Cross. He built several churches to house portions of this relic and also distributed pieces of the True Cross throughout Europe.
A TRULY CHRISTIAN RULER
St. Louis also passed incredible laws. For example, he forbade all usury and demanded that money exacted in that manner be returned. By a personal ordinance he decreed that all blasphemers of the Lord's name be branded on the lips (some say forehead) with a hot iron. This penalty even befall a rich nobleman in Paris and many murmured against the King as being ‘too harsh’. King Louis responded that he would rather undergo this punishment himself (that of being branded) than to permit such a horrible crime against Christ our Lord. Well did he remember the lesson of his mother! (Can you imagine if our nation were ruled this way today! How very different our society would be…) King Louis protected vassals from their lords, ransoming them himself from the cruelest servitudes, and often gave audiences to the poor who clamored for his aid. He imprisoned those lords who enacted severe and unfair punishments upon their people.
DEFENDER OF THE CHURCH
Much more is to be told about the most excellent King, especially regarding his battles, diplomacy, and peace efforts. Moreover, much is noted regarding the great sicknesses and sufferings he endured - all of which he offered up in union with the Passion of Christ. He only survived a life-threatening illness once the relics of the True Cross and Crown of Thorns were applied to his diseased body. He also allowed the Pope, Innocent IV, to take residence in Lyons, for it was the safest place in Europe while the evil Emperor, Frederic II, sought to crush the Pope and despoil him and the Church of the Papal States. Some historians argue that if King Louis IX had not defended the Pope at this crucial time in history, Frederic II would have destroyed the Papacy, created a national church (thus splintering Christianity into many factions), and that the Catholic Church as we know it would have ceased to exist.
A GREAT CRUSADER
King Louis also participated in the defense of the Holy Faith in the Crusades and battled the Saracens, but that in of itself is the subject of a much longer story filled with great drama and heroism. It was there that the King exercised the greatest example of all Christian virtues in the face of barbaric evil. Treachery and deceit, following a horrible plague that wrecked his Christian army, let to the saintly King being taken captive by the Mohammedans. There his conduct, resolution and behavior filled his captors with admiration and astonishment. He continued to pray his breviary with two chaplains while imprisoned and had the prayers of the Mass read to him every day (except the words of consecration). Even when threatened with great tortures, he kept his majesty, authority, and patience about him, being ready and willing to die as a martyr. Eventually he signed a treaty with his captives, a ransom was paid, and he was allowed to go free.
Sadly, the Mohammedans violated their oath and massacred all the Christians remaining in the cities which had been occupied by his armies. Despite this treason, Louis IX scrupulously adhered to every point of the treaty which he had agreed to. Once freed, he journeyed throughout the Holy Land visiting holy sites: praying and doing penances. Numerous infidels converted to the Christian faith after beholding his amazing witness.
HIS DEATH
In 1270 he helped repel an attack from the Moslems in Tunis against Naples. It was during this war that his beloved son, John Tristan, died. Soon thereafter the King fell ill to dysentery. He lay ill for 21 days, but continued admirably in his duties of state and recitation of the Office as long as he was able. He had a great cross set near his bedside so he could easily turn his eyes upon it. He called his son Philip to his bedside and left him his dying admonitions on how to be a good king. To this day, it is a beautiful treatise for rulers to read and adhere to (for those interested, it can be read HERE at the Fisheates website, just scroll down to the 'Reading'.)
On Aug 24, 1270 he received extreme unction (a Sunday) and he died the following day at age 55, after reigning 43 years. The last words he uttered were those of the Psalmist and then of His King: "Lord, I will enter into thine house; I will adore in the holy temple and will give glory to Thy Name", and "Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit."
Countless miracles were wrought by his intercession and he was canonized in 1279 by Pope Boniface VIII. Some of his relics remain in Notre Dame Cathedral.