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Holy Royals
I’m writing this on November 1st, the day that the Roman Catholic Church celebrates All Saints’ Day. Some readers may be surprised to know that the Church has recognized numerous royals as saints, blessed, venerable and servants of God. Below, is a brief biography of four royals recognized by the Church.
St. Louis (King Louis IX of France)
St. Louis is the only French king who is a recognized saint. St. Louis was known during his life as especially pious and charitable, particularly for a monarch. St. Louis led two crusades to give glory to God. On his second crusade, St. Louis fell ill in Tunis and ultimately died of dysentery, which had swept through his army. After his death, his son and brother promoted his veneration and dispersed parts of his body they had preserved as relics. Louis was canonized in 1297, only 27 years after his death. St. Louis, the American city in Missouri, was named by French explorers in his honor.
