"If God send thee adversity, receive it in patience and give thanks to our Savior and bethink thee that thou hast deserved it, and that He will make it turn to thine advantage."- St. Louis King of France

King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile welcomed St. Louis into the world on April 25, 1215, in Poissy. Louis became king when he was just 11 years old. When he was twelve years old, his father passed away, and his mother took over as regent of the realm. She had instilled in him a love for holy things from his infancy. He lived a model life, always remembering his mother's words: "I would rather see you dead at my feet than guilty of a mortal sin."

He married Margaret, the pious daughter of Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, in 1234, and they had eleven children. He gained control of the government on his own in 1236.

The French king, who had a strong passion for justice, went to considerable lengths to see that the arbitration procedure was conducted fairly. Christian Europe as a whole enthusiastically accepted him as an international judge in the thirteenth century.

He was well known for his generosity. From his table, he fed the destitute; he also cleaned their feet, attended to the needs of lepers, and fed more than 100 of them every day. He established numerous hospitals and institutions, including the Quinze-Vent for 300 blind men (1254), the House of the Felles-Dieu for reformed prostitutes, and hospitals in Pontoise, Vernon, and Compiègne.

He led a crusade in 1238 during which he was captured by Mohammedans. After an understanding was reached, he was freed, and he later returned to France. He once more embarked on a crusade in 1267 and headed for the East, but he was never able to see his native country again.

During the Second Crusade, on August 25, 1270, St. Louis, who was 56 years old, passed away from the plague near Tunis. After 27 years, he was canonized. His feast day is on August 25th. He is the patron of masons and builders.

The Sainte Chappelle, a masterpiece of architecture, was built during his rule as a reliquary for the Crown of Thorns, and it was under his patronage that Robert of Sorbonne founded the "Collège de la Sorbonne," which eventually became the home of Paris's illustrious theological faculty and the most prestigious academic institution of the medieval era.

Other Saints of the Day
Saint Patricia
Saint Maginus
Saint Nemesius and Lucilla
Saint Yrieix
Saint Warinus