Five Favorite Quotes from St. Louis IX



Today, August 25, is the feast of St. Louis IX, King of France (1215-1270). A third order Franciscan, he was a just king, a devoted spouse, and the loving father of eleven children.

Here are five of my favorite quotes, excerpted from a letter he wrote to his son.

1. "Fix your whole heart upon God, and love Him with all your strength, for without this no one can be saved."

2.  "Have a tender pitiful heart for the poor, and for all those whom you believe to be in misery of heart or body, and, according to your ability, comfort and aid them with some alms."

3.  "Let no one be so bold as to say, in your presence, words which attract and lead to sin, and do not permit words of detraction to be spoken of another behind his back."

 3. "I advise you that you accustom yourself to frequent confession, and that you choose always, as your confessors, men who are upright and sufficiently learned, and who can teach you what you should do and what you should avoid."

4. "Love your brothers, and always wish their well-being and their good advancement, and also be to them in the place of a father, to instruct them in all good."

5. "Love all good, and hate all evil, in whomsoever it may be."
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