Saint Louis IX

Louis was born at Poissy on April 25, 1214, and became King of France at twelve after his father's death in 1226. His mother, Blanche of Castile, governed as regent and raised him in deep faith, teaching him that she would rather see him dead than guilty of a mortal sin. In 1234 he married Margaret of Provence, and they had eleven children.

Louis was known for his justice, his peacemaking among Christian rulers and his love for the poor: he fed many at his table, washed their feet and founded hospitals, including one for the blind in Paris. He attended Mass daily and built the Sainte-Chapelle to house the Crown of Thorns. He led two crusades; on the first, he was captured in Egypt in 1250 and later ransomed. On the second, he fell ill and died near Tunis on August 25, 1270. He was canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297.

He is the patron of the Secular Franciscan Order, which honors him on this day. Many places are named for him, including the cities of St. Louis, Missouri, and San Luis Potosí in Mexico, and the cathedral of New Orleans, where special Masses are celebrated.

In France his feast was long a national celebration, and his memory is honored at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.