Louis – August 25th
St Louis (d. 1270, Tunis, Tunisia) (Relics: Monreale, Sicily; Saint-Denis, France)
In 1270 St Louis set out across the Mediterranean to begin the Eighth Crusade. Upon reaching the shores of Tunis his group met a number of setbacks. As they waited for reinforcements to fortify their position many within the group including St Louis caught dysentery and died. As the defeated crusaders returned to Europe they brought the remains of St Louis through Italy and France attracting many crowds of mourners along the way. His remains were then buried in Saint-Denis Cathedral in Paris, France. The Sicilian city of Monreale also continues to claim to have some of his relics.
First Class Relics
Cattedrale di Monreale (Cathedral of Monreale)
Piazza Guglielmo II 1
90046 Monreale, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
*The innards of St Louis rest within an urn in the left transept of this church. These relics were acquired during the transfer of St Louis’ body from Tunis to Paris.
Cathédrale de Saint-Denis (Cathedral of Saint Denis)
1 Place de la Legion d’Honneur
93200 Saint-Denis, France
*For centuries the remains of St Louis rested in this church. However, during the French Revolution these remains were destroyed. Only a finger, now kept within this church, was preserved.
*Tradition also claims that this church was erected over the tomb of St Denis.
Churches of Honor in Rome
San Luigi dei Francesi
(Saint Louis of the French)
Piazza San Luigi dei Francesi 5
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza Navona and it is dedicated to St Louis.
*The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Louis. A number of paintings placed within this chapel depict scenes from his life. Of particular interest is the painting on the right side-wall completed by Ludovico Gimignani which depicts St Louis receiving the Crown of Thorns in Paris. This unique relic, which is still preserved in this city, was first received by St Louis in 1239. It is now located within the treasury of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. On First Fridays throughout the year and on every Friday during lent this relic is brought out for public veneration.
