On the Feast of St. Louis IX

"Fair son, the first thing I would teach thee is to set thine heart to love God; for unless he love God none can be saved. Keep thyself from doing aught that is displeasing to God, that is to say, from mortal sin. Contrariwise thou shouldst suffer every manner of torment rather than commit a mortal sin."  --from St. Louis IX's last instructions to his eldest son.

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On August 25 Holy Mother Church honors St. Louis IX, holy King of France and defender of Christianity.  At the age of 12, St. Louis inherited the throne, but he did not reign fully until the age of 21.  Until this time St. Louis was guided by his devout mother, Queen Blanche, who once told her young, royal son, "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.” His mother’s influence was to direct St. Louis' life, guiding him to be a king filled with compassion for the poor, devoted to his kingdom, to his wife and eleven children, and especially to his Faith.  St. Louis heard two Masses a day and spent hours in prayer, even reciting the Office while imprisoned with two priests.  Just as his mother gave him advice to direct his life towards God, St. Louis did likewise with his eldest son, leaving him with final instructions before his death.  He was canonized in 1297.

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"If God send thee adversity, receive it in patience and give thanks to our Saviour and bethink thee that thou hast deserved it, and that He will make it turn to thine advantage. If He send thee prosperity, then thank Him humbly, so that thou becomest not worse from pride or any other cause, when thou oughtest to be better. For we should not fight against God with his own gifts."--from St. Louis IX's last instructions to his eldest son.

Litany in Honor of St. Louis IX

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, . .
Holy Virgin of virgins, . . .
Saint Louis of France, . . .
Saint Louis, scion of devout parents, . . .
Saint Louis, constant protector of the children of God, . . .
Saint Louis, steadfast teacher of piety, . . .
Saint Louis, true model of Christian virtue, . . .
Saint Louis, faithful confessor of the living Christ, . . .
Saint Louis, kingly bearer of humiliations, . . .
Saint Louis, staunch defender of the glorified Christ, . . .
Saint Louis, true martyr of the flesh by mortification, . . .
Saint Louis, detester of worldly pride and honor, . . .
Saint Louis, saviour of souls, . . .
Saint Louis, ardent lover of God, . . .
Saint Louis, kind friend of enemies, . . .
Saint Louis, rapt in prayer to God, . . .
Saint Louis, hope of sinners, . . .
Saint Louis, giver of gifts, . . .
Saint Louis, founder of charitable institutions for the afflicted, . . .
Saint Louis, generous giver of alms, . . .
Saint Louis, lavish dispenser of riches, . . .
Saint Louis, guard of the holy places of pilgrimage, . . .
Saint Louis, detester of immoderate people, . . .
Saint Louis, protector of widows and orphans, . . .
Saint Louis, defender of the sepulchre of Our Lord Jesus Christ, . . .
Saint Louis, victor over the Saracens, . . .
Saint Louis, protector of those in pagan slavery, . . .
Saint Louis, converter of unbelievers to the Christian faith, . . .
Saint Louis, visitor of hospitals and dispenser of favors to the infirm, . . .
Saint Louis, healer of the sick, . . .
Saint Louis, intercessor and patron of the French King, . . .
Saint Louis, from whom those who flee to thee obtain the infallible help of God, . . .
Saint Louis, at whose request divers diseases are miraculously cured, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father (secretly). Hail Mary (secretly).

℣. Pray for us, Saint Louis:
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
O Lord, King of kings, Jesus Christ, Who didst love Saint Louis and didst lead him into the heavenly Kingdom: grant that by his intercession and good works, we may participate in his glory for all eternity. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

"Finally, my very dear son, cause Masses to be sung for my soul, and prayers to be said throughout thy realm; and give to me a special share and full part in all the good thou doest. Fair, dear son, I give thee all the blessings that a good father can give to his son. And may the blessed Trinity and all the saints keep and defend thee from all evils; and God give thee grace to do His will always, so that He be honored in thee, and that thou and I may both, after this mortal life is ended, be with Him together and praise Him everlastingly. Amen." --from St. Louis IX's last instructions to his eldest son.

God bless!

+JMJ+