Saint Louis

Description

Medievalist Bruce L. Venarde recommends "the well-regarded biographies of Louis by Jacques Legoff and of Blanche by Lindy Grant".

St. Thomas praised King St. Louis in his commentary on Psalm 48:1: "…both rich and poor together", naming him alongside St. Abraham!:

Both rich and poor together, as if to say, "Everyone, heed these teachings" since they are useful to all. And what are these teachings? Matthew 5: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"; Ecclesiasticus 31: "Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish." However, some are rich in actuality, but not in (their) desires. And this can be a holy (one), like Abraham, and Ludovic, the king of France.

To be praised as a saint by such a great saint! Wow!

from matins:

Louis IX, King of France, was brought up under the most holy care of his mother Blanche. To regain possession of Jerusalem, he crossed the sea with a great army and put the Saracens to flight in the first battle. But, when a great many of his soldiers had perished in the plague, he was defeated and taken captive. Upon conclusion of a treaty, he was set free. He redeemed many Christians in the East from enslavement to the barbarians, and also converted many infidels to the faith of Christ. Returning to France, he built many monasteries and hospitals for the poor. He helped the needy by his beneficence, and he often visited the sick and served them himself. He wore plain clothing and constantly afflicted his body by wearing a hair shirt and by fasting. When he had crossed the sea again to make war against the Saracens and had pitched camp within sight of them, he died of the plague, saying this prayer: I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy Name.

Qui fut Saint Louis? Peut-on le connaître et, Joinville aidant, entrer dans son intimité? Peut-on le saisir à travers toutes les couches et les formations de mémoires attachées à construire sa statue et son modèle? Problème d’autant plus difficile que, la légende rejoignant pour une fois la réalité, l’enfant roi de douze ans semble avoir été dès le départ programmé, si l’on ose dire, pour être ce roi idéal et unique que l’histoire en a fait.