St. Louis King of France Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Louis King of France lived and reigned in the 1200s. He is the only French king who has been canonized a saint. His reign was viewed as a golden age in medieval times. He worked to bring about many reforms in society and was deeply committed to holiness.
You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy king in your life!
About St. Louis King of France
St. Louis King of France was born in 1214 in Poissy, France. When Louis was twelve years old, his father died. Though Louis then became king, his mother ruled in his place as regent until he came of age.
Louis’ mother was a holy woman who brought him up in the Faith. She also ensured that he received a proper education in government, Latin, military arts, writing, and public speaking so that he could rule well as king. When Louis came of age and began to rule himself, he continued to rely on his mother as an advisor.
In 1234, Louis married a woman named Margaret, who was the daughter of a count and was very virtuous. Louis and Margaret had a happy and holy marriage. They had eleven children, though two of them died as infants.
During his reign, Louis dealt with many political conflicts and wars. Other rulers of the time viewed him with high esteem, as he worked to bring France to new economic and political heights. His fairness and his holiness were widely recognized by his peers. Many rulers selected him as arbiter to assist in solving their quarrels.
He also brought about many reforms in France’s justice system. He banned trial by ordeal, in which accused people were subjected to pain or unpleasant circumstances to determine guilt or innocence. He originated the presumption of innocence, and he created bailiffs and provosts.
Louis also patronized the arts. While he was king, many advances were made in architecture and Gothic art. He also built the beautiful Sainte-Chappelle in the royal palace.
Louis was deeply devoted to his Catholic Faith. He saw his role as king as a lieutenant of God on earth. He tried to direct all that he did for God’s glory and the good of his subjects. He practiced severe penances and did all he could to care for the poor. He often fed beggars from his own table and washed their feet. He also cared for lepers and established hospitals, as well as houses for reformed prostitutes and blind men.
Louis also paid a great sum of money to another ruler in order to obtain and protect what were believed to be relics of the True Cross and Crown of Thorns.
While praying for recovery from a serious sickness, Louis made a vow to lead a crusade. In 1238, Louis led the Seventh Crusade and was captured by the Moslems. He was freed when a truce was declared.
In 1267, Louis and his three sons fought in the Eighth Crusade. But he contracted dysentery in the camp in 1270 and died.
St. Louis King of France’s Feast Day: August 25th
Why Pray the St. Louis King of France Novena?
St. Louis King of France is the patron saint of tertiaries. You can ask him to pray for you if you are a tertiary or if you are discerning becoming a tertiary. You can also ask him to pray for someone you know who is a tertiary or who is discerning becoming a tertiary.
St. Louis King of France is also a good saint to seek prayers from on behalf of a temporal ruler, since he was a very holy temporal ruler who did a lot of good for his people.
You can pray the St. Louis King of France Novena for any intention!
St. Louis King of France Novena Prayers
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed from the time of his upbringing.
St. Louis King of France, your father died when you were only twelve years old. But your holy mother ensured that you were brought up in the Faith and helped you begin on the path of serving God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served!
As you grew to maturity, your Faith and holiness matured as well. You did all you could serve God through your office as King and to lead others to holiness.
Pray for me, that I may do all I can to serve God worthily in my life. Pray that I may be as devoted a servant of God as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed by seeking to exercise his temporal power as Your servant.
St. Louis King of France, you saw your kingly role as being the lieutenant of God on earth. You tried to direct all that you did for the good of your subjects and God’s glory.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you sought to glorify!
You used your power as king to bring about reforms in the justice system, to protect the poor and the weak, and to lead others to virtue.
Pray for me, that I may always serve God as He calls me to in my life. Pray that I may always seek to glorify God in my worldly work.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed as he lived out his vocation as a husband and father.
St. Louis King of France, you married a very virtuous woman and had a happy marriage with her. Together, the two of you served God faithfully in your marriage.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so faithfully!
You and your wife had eleven children. You devoted yourself to serving God in your life as a husband and father, as well as in your role as king.
Pray for me, that I may carry out the duties of my vocation faithfully each day. Pray that I may grow in holiness as I live out my vocation.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in working to promote peace as a king.
St. Louis King of France, your reputation for holiness and justness was well-known by rulers of other countries. They saw that you were virtuous and fair.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
While you were king, many rulers of other countries sought your help to act as arbiters in their quarrels. You helped to bring about peace by helping them to do what was just.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to do all I can to resolve conflicts around me. Pray that I may grow in virtue and holiness each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in seeking to bring about reform and more just practices in his society.
St. Louis King of France, there were many imperfections in the system of law when you began to rule as king. You worked diligently to bring about more just practices, out of love for your subjects and God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so dearly!
You banned trial by ordeal and introduced the presumption of innocence. You brought about many reforms in your country’s justice system, so that your subjects could receive a more just trial.
Pray for me, that I may always be ready to do what I can to promote justice in the world. Pray that I may serve God in whatever ways He calls me in my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in the penitential life he lived.
St. Louis King of France, you had great temporal power but you were deeply concerned with living a holy life. You practiced many severe penances out of love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved with such devotion!
Your reputation for holiness was well-known by those around you. You did all you could to serve God worthily in both your role as king and your vocation as a husband and father.
Pray for me, that I may grow in a spirit of holy penance in my life. Pray that I may be eager to serve God devotedly each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in his devoted care for the poor and the sick.
St. Louis King of France, you cared deeply for the welfare of your poor and sick brothers and sisters in Christ. You served God by practicing many acts of charity towards those in need.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so faithfully!
You often fed beggars from your own table and washed their feet. You cared for lepers and established hospitals.
Pray for me, that I may always be ready to serve God through service to those in need. Pray that I may grow in charity towards my needy brothers and sisters in Christ each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his reverence towards holy things and places.
St. Louis King of France, you had a beautiful chapel built in the royal palace. You had a deep spirit of piety and reverence for holy things and places because of your deep love of God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so deeply!
You paid a great sum of money to another ruler in order to obtain and protect what were believed to be relics of the True Cross and Crown of Thorns.
Pray for me, that I may grow in reverence for all that is holy. Pray that I may always be eager to show my love for God through reverence towards holy things.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Louis King of France Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Louis King of France as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in living his life devoted to You and Your Church.
St. Louis King of France, you were deeply devoted to your Catholic Faith. You tried to direct all that you did to the glory of God and the good of your subjects.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served with such devotion!
You fought to defend the Church from attack by serving in Crusades. You devoted your whole life to serving God and His Church faithfully.
Pray for me, that I may be as devoted a servant of God and His Church as you were. Pray that I may be eager to put my gifts to use serving God and His Church.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Louis King of France, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.