Saint of the day · August 25
St Louis
Tuesday, week 21 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical colour : Green
St. Louis, King of France (often called Louis IX), stands out as one of the most revered Christian monarchs of the Middle Ages. Born in the early 13th century, he succeeded his father as king while still a child and ruled for many decades, striving to integrate his profound faith into his daily governance. Louis was known for his dedication to Christian justice, care for the poor, and personal piety. He established hospitals, supported the foundation of monasteries, and promoted the building of the remarkable Sainte-Chapelle in Paris as a reliquary for Christ's Crown of Thorns. The king took seriously his duty as a Christian ruler, frequently convening with both clergy and laypeople on matters of law and faith. He was an advocate for peace and fairness in his kingdom, often settling disputes personally and showing great clemency to the less fortunate. Famous for participating in the Crusades, he sought to serve the Christian communities of the Holy Land, even though his campaigns were marked by significant hardship and ultimate military failure. St. Louis' deep devotion to the Eucharist and his concern for Christian morality serve as enduring examples for leaders in all times. After his death, he was soon canonized for the holiness and justice that marked his reign, and today he is venerated as a patron of kings, the French people, and Christian leaders. The Church honors him, not for his royal status, but for striving to govern with the Gospel as his guiding principle.
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Local variations
- France — St Louis
The liturgical day
Mass readings
“Hold firmly to the traditions that we taught you” — 2 Th 2, 1-3a.14-17
Brothers and sisters, we have a request to make of you
regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our gathering together to him:
if someone claims by inspiration, by word or by letter
that the day of the Lord has already come,
do not so quickly lose your heads,
do not let yourselves be alarmed.
Let no one mislead you in any way.
God called you through our preaching of the Gospel,
so that you might obtain
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm,
and hold firmly to the traditions
that we taught you,
whether by word of mouth or by letter.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself,
and God our Father who has loved us
and who has given us everlasting encouragement
and good hope by his grace,
encourage your hearts
and strengthen them in every good deed and word.
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 95 (96), 10, 11-12a, 12b-13ab, 13bcd
Say among the nations: “The Lord is king!”
The world stands firm, unshakable.
He governs the peoples with justice.
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth exult!
Let the roaring seas resound,
let all the countryside be glad.
The trees of the forest dance for joy
before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
The Lord comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the peoples according to his truth!
“These are the things you should have practiced, without neglecting the others” — Mt 23, 23-26
At that time,
Jesus said:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,
because you pay tithes
on mint, dill and cumin,
but you have neglected what is more important in the Law:
justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
These are the things you should have practiced
without neglecting the others.
Blind guides! You strain out a gnat,
and swallow a camel!
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,
because you clean the outside of the cup and the dish,
but the inside is full of greed and self-indulgence!
Blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may become clean.”
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org