St. Louis IX Holy Card

This beautiful holy card of St. Louis IX of France features a vintage image of St. Louis and a selection from instructions to his son on avoiding mortal sin and staying in a state of grace.  St. Louis IX is a patron saint of France and of the Third Order of St. Francis.

St. Louis X's mother, Blanche of Castille who was regent until he came of age, loved him very much, but she told him, "I would rather see you dead at my feet than that you would ever commit a mortal sin!"  Louis IX never forgot these words and expressed a similar sentiment to his own son on the importance staying in the state of grace.  Louis IX was an obedient son who learned well from his mother the religious practices of daily recitation of the Divine Office and attending Holy Mass.  When he became king would bring a hundred or more poor into the palace  to feed them, often serving them himself.  He is an excellent example of devotion to Christian duty and treating all with kindness.  Louis IX was very pious and heeded the call of the Pope twice leading crusades to defend the Holy Land.  On the second crusade he succumbed to typhus and among the last words he imparted to his son are the exhortation to avoid mortal sin and stay in grace which is on the back of this holy card.

Image source: Chant Art