"He did what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord; among all kings none could compare with him." 2 Kings 18
Feast Day - St. Louis IX - August 25 "St. Louis was born in 1214 and became King of France at age 22. He married and became the father of eleven children who received from him careful instruction for a Christian life. He excelled in penance and prayer and in his love for the poor. While ruling his kingdom he had regard not only for peace among peoples and for the temporal good of his subjects, but also for their spiritual welfare. He undertook the Crusades to recover the tomb of Christ and died near Carthage in 1270." (Office of Readings, St. Paul Editions)
The following are excerpts from a 'spiritual testament by St. Louis to his son'...a father teaching his son. For Mothers and Fathers, Grandparents these words should hold true today and always not only for our children, but for ourselves as well.
"My dearest son,
My first instruction is that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your strength. Without this there is no salvation. Keep yourself, my son, from everything that you know displeases God, that is to say, from every mortal sin. You should permit yourself to be tormented by every kind of martyrdom before you would allow yourself to commit a mortal sin.
"If the Lord has permitted you to have some trial, bear it willingly and with gratitude, considering that it has happened for your good and that perhaps you well deserved it. If the Lord bestows upon you any kind of prosperity, thank Him humbly and see that you become no worse for it, either through vain pride or anything else, because you ought not to oppose God or offend Him in the matter of his gifts.
"As long as you are in church, be careful not to let your eyes wander and not to speak empty words, but pray to the Lord devoutly, either aloud or with the interior prayer of the heart.
"Be kindhearted to the poor, the unfortunate and the afflicted. Give them as much help and consolation as you can. Thank God for all the benefits He has bestowed upon you, that you may be worthy to receive greater. Be just to your subjects, swaying neither to right nor left, but holding the line of justice. Always side with the poor rather than with the rich, until you are certain of the truth.
"Be devout and obedient to our Mother the Church of Rome and the Supreme Pontiff as your spiritual father. Work to remove all sin from your land, particularly blasphemies and heresies.
"In conclusion, dearest son, I give you every blessing that a loving father can give a son. May the three Persons of the Holy Trinity and all the saints protect you from every evil. And may the Lord give you the grace to do His will so that He may be served and honored through you, that in the next life we may together come to see Him, love Him and praise Him unceasingly." (Ibid)
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PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY: The Fifteen Promises of Praying the Rosary given by the Blessed Mother to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche in the twelfth century.
Promise #10 The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS - Consecration of a priest sets him apart; equips him with qualities of mind, heart, character to serve Christ and His Church - to do the tasks for which he was ordained.
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