SAINT LOUIS IX, KING OF FRANCE

                Born in the year 1214, Louis became King of France twenty years later. The greatest influence in his life was his mother, Blanche, who was his regent for eight years after the death of his father. When he reached the age of 20 he was able to assume the throne, and Blanche continued to be his advisor. Louis’ wars and political astuteness are well treated in history books. We do associate him with crusades, and he was once captured and ransomed. Louis is better remembered, however, for his personal piety, his justice and charity, and especially for his lifelong generosity to the poor of his realm. We may note, too, this his nation prospered throughout his forty-four year reign. Louis and his wife, Margaret, were the parents of eleven children, all raised and well instructed in the faith. He was pious, prayerful, charitable and intensely loyal to the Church. He died in 1270, and was canonized in 1297.