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August 25: Saint Louis, King—Optional Memorial
1214–1270
Patron Saint of barbers, hairdressers, builders, construction workers, button makers, distillers, embroiderers, needleworkers, kings, sculptors, soldiers, stoneworkers, bridegrooms, parenthood, parents of large families, prisoners, sick people, and co-patron of the Third Order of Saint Francis
Invoked against the death of children and difficult marriages
Canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297
Liturgical Color: White
Quote:
Therefore, dear son, the first thing I advise is that you fix your whole heart upon God, and love Him with all your strength, for without this no one can be saved or be of any worth. You should, with all your strength, shun everything which you believe to be displeasing to Him. And you ought especially to be resolved not to commit mortal sin, no matter what may happen and should permit all your limbs to be hewn off, and suffer every manner of torment, rather than fall knowingly into mortal sin. ~Letter from Saint Louis to his son
Reflection: Louis IX, born in Poissy, France, was the fourth child of the Crown Prince and Princess of France, Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. When Louis was born, his grandfather, Philip II, had been King of France for thirty-four years. When Louis IX was nine, his grandfather died, and his father, Louis VIII, became king, but would only reign for three years. After his father’s death in 1226, Louis IX became King of France at the age of twelve. Because of his age, his mother acted as his regent until he was old enough to rule on his own at the age of nineteen.
As the son of a prince and then as a young king, Louis IX was well educated in Latin, public speaking, writing, military arts, and government. His private tutors were handpicked by his devoted mother, a faith-filled Catholic who saw to it that her children were well formed in the faith. One day, his mother reportedly told young Louis, “I love you, my dear son, as much as a mother can love her child; but I would rather see you dead at my feet than that you should commit a mortal sin.” This powerful statement of love from his mother resonated in Louis’s heart throughout his life.
During her time as Queen Mother and Regent of France, Blanche ruled with virtue. She supported monasteries and convents, practiced her faith well, was generous to the poor, and governed with justice. This had a profound effect on her king son. When Louis was eighteen, his mother chose Margaret of Provence, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence, as his wife. Margaret was an ideal wife for Louis on account of her piety and virtue. The couple fell in love and had eleven children. They enjoyed spending time with each other—reading, riding, listening to music, and praying. It is often reported that this close bond caused Louis’s mother to be jealous, and she and her daughter-in-law had a strained relationship.
After his regency ended, King Louis’ subsequent reign of thirty-six years was marked by justice, care for the poor, arbitration, strategic alliances, crusades, and deep devotion. As for his devotion to the Catholic faith, King Louis was known as a man of prayer. As acts of interior devotion, he recited the Divine Office daily, attended Mass twice each day, and wore a hairshirt under his clothing. Perhaps the most inspiring legacy of King Louis’ faith can be found in a letter he wrote to his son in which he shares his fatherly heart, giving his son, the future king, guidance on how to be a good man and king. His letter is filled with practical exhortations of faith, by which he attempts to imprint on his son’s mind and heart the path to holiness.
These acts of piety also led to external works, such as engaging in public penances to inspire his subjects, building and supporting numerous monasteries and convents, and collecting holy relics that he housed in a chapel he commissioned, called the Sainte-Chapelle, or “Holy Chapel.” Most notably, that chapel is said to house the Crown of Thorns, which was King Louis’ most sacred relic. Because of his faith, King Louis also promoted the sacred arts throughout France and laid the foundation for academic institutions of theological excellence. Additionally, he was very committed to works of charity. He built hospitals for the sick and homes of reformation for prostitutes, and he personally cared for the poor.
King Louis was also a man of justice. He was known to spend long periods of time listening to grievances from his people and issuing just resolutions. He reformed the legal system and outlawed archaic and unjust practices. He put an end to wars among the nobility, seeking common sense solutions to their disputes rather than violence. His justice and morally upright reputation were so well known that other rulers even called upon him to help settle serious conflicts in other kingdoms, such as with the King of England and the English barons.
In 1244, the city of Jerusalem was taken by the Khwarazmian Turks, in violation of the Treaty of Jaffa of 1229. Though war should never be undertaken for aggressive and conquering reasons, self-defense or the defense of others is a moral duty. King Louis recognized that duty and was aware of his unique position to help. In 1248, King Louis set out with his army of crusaders to battle the Turks in what is known as the Seventh Crusade. His aim was Egypt, the center of Muslim power. Though he was initially successful in taking the city of Damietta, his army was decimated as they tried to advance, and the king was captured. After a short imprisonment, he was ransomed for an extremely large sum of money and then spent the next four years in Crusader-controlled strongholds in the Holy Land, giving them support and encouragement. After six years, he returned home to France where his mother had been ruling as regent in his absence.
In 1267, King Louis once again sensed a duty to defend the Holy Land. After three years of careful planning, Tunisia was selected as the target with the goal of converting the Muslim king to the Catholic faith, in hopes that the king would then help establish broader peace between Christians and Muslims. Unfortunately, upon arriving in Northern Africa, disease broke out in the Crusader camp. Among the dead was King Louis IX. His body was sent back to France, and his son, Philip III, succeeded him as king. In 1297, just twenty-seven years after Louis’ death, Pope Boniface VIII canonized Saint Louis on account of his deep personal piety, his efforts to reform and improve justice, and his leadership in two Crusades.
The life of a king in the High Middle Ages, with its riches and unchecked power, brought with it numerous temptations. Saint Louis was one of those rare souls who remained simple, humble, devout, just, thoughtful, morally upright, and prayerful throughout his reign. He is the only King of France to receive the sacred title “Saint.” As we honor this holy and just ruler, ponder the temptations he would have had to overcome in order to become universally recognized as a Catholic saint. As you do, ponder the qualities you most need in your life to overcome any of the snares that tempt you, so that you will fulfill your duties in accord with the mind and heart of Christ.
Prayer: Saint Louis, you came to know Christ at a young age. Your faith-filled mother instilled in you a clear vision of your moral duty and responsibility before God. You responded to that gift by being a king after the Heart of Christ, seeking justice and peace for all. Please pray for me, that I will embrace my own duties in life with love and justice, never seeking my own selfish desires but only the desires in the Heart of Christ. Saint Louis, King of France, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Unit Leader: Bro. Dave & Sis. Tess Calces
☺Household Leader: Bro. Daniel & Sis. Dome Magno
Members:
-Bro. Joewey & Sis. Mayang Morales
-Bro. Rodel & Sis. Shirly Saludes
-Bro. Emman & Sis. Joan Leonor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Sonny & Sis. Cora Andal
Members:
-Bro. Bernie & Sis. Lorna Faustino
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Lani Mangalus
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Gina Salma
-Bro. Nonie & Sis. Josie Fajilan
☺Household Leader: Bro. Edmund & Sis. Eve Espiritu
Members:
-Bro. Bart & Sis. Kathy Fallaria
-Bro. Dan & Sis. Tess Tolentino
-Bro. Eric & Sis. Lilian Lingal
☺Household Leader: Bro. Rodel & Sis. Mhang Manuel
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Irene Austria
-Bro. Willy & sis. Milly Lathrop
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Jessa Quing-quing
-Bro. Ernie & Sis. Darmie Sojor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Cris & Sis. Nora Pineda
Our Activities:
National Shrine of Saint Jude: Legion of Mary Praesidium
MARIA SPES SINENSIUM Members :
- President: Caroline Gozun
SCOPE OF WORK:
Home to home visitation; taking and updating of the parish census; recruitment and follow up of active and auxiliary members; follow up on marriage validation, baptismal, Holy Communion and confirmation cases; hospital visitation; block rosary; participation in various parish and curia activities.
ABOUT:
The Legion of Mary
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honoured place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus and legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through the visitation of homes and by other means, the Legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
The basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise (this is only applicable for members over 18 years) which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Realising the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is carried out through its various councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin.
The Cause for Beatification has been introduced for three legionaries: The Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the Second Vatican Council as a Lay Observer; Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.