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Saint Louis of France
Saint Louis of France

Saint Louis of France

Feast Day
Aug 25, 2012
Patronage
Barbers, Grooms
<p>St. Louis of France was crowned King at the age of 12, after his father&rsquo;s death.&nbsp; His mother Blanche of Castile, ruled during his youth.&nbsp; At his coronation as King of France, he bound himself by oath to behave as God&rsquo;s anointed, and as the father of his people.&nbsp; He would be the King of Peace.&nbsp; Other Kings have done the same, but he was different in the sense that he actually interpreted his Kingly duties in the light of faith.&nbsp; He brought peace and justice to France, after the two previous reigns were at war.&nbsp;</p> <p>When he was 19 he married Marguerite of Province.&nbsp; They had 11 children, through a loving marriage.&nbsp; Louis and his army seized Damietta, on the Nile, but not long after, they were surrounded and captured.&nbsp; St. Louis obtained the release of the army by giving up the city and paying a ransom.&nbsp; He stayed in Syria, for four years afterwards.&nbsp;</p> <p>He is credited for extending justice in civil administration.&nbsp; He drew up regulations for his officials, which became the first of a series of reform laws.&nbsp; He implemented &ldquo;examination of witnesses&rdquo; in court and encouraged the beginning of using written records in court.&nbsp; He was devoted to his people, founding many hospitals, visiting the sick, and like his patron St. Francis, even cared for people with leprosy.&nbsp;</p> <p>He united France through the force of his personality and holiness.&nbsp; For many years, the nation was at peace.&nbsp; Every day, St. Louis chose thirteen guests from among the poor to eat with, and many more poor being served meals near his palace.&nbsp; He actually kept of list of needy people that he helped on a regular basis and during Lent and Advent, never turned anyone down that came to him for a meal.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>He was disturbed by new Muslim advances in Syria, and in 1267 at the age of 41 led his crusades there to do battle.&nbsp; His crusade was diverted to Tunis, and the army was decimated by disease within a month &ndash; St. Louis himself died on foreign soil at the age of 44.&nbsp; He was canonized twenty-seven years later.&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Practical Take Away</span></strong></h2> <p>St. Louis showed us with his life, that one can serve our vocation in life, by the &ldquo;light of God&rdquo;.&nbsp; He spent his life trying to serve others, while being crowned the King of France, at the age of 12.&nbsp; He went on to get married, and had 11 children, bringing them up in the Catholic Church. He also governed in a way that brought peace to France for many years.&nbsp; His life shows us that with God as our &ldquo;center&rdquo;, we can bring peace to our lives, our surroundings, and have the courage and compassion to serve others.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>