Course 3, Chapter 40

Christianity preserved and propagated. — St. Louis, St. Ferdinand. — General Councils of Lateran and Lyons. — Religious of Mercy. — Thirteenth Century, continued.

1. Who was St. Louis?

St. Louis, king of France, was the son of Louis VIII. He was born in 1215, and was baptized at Poissy. It was on this account he signed his letters Louis of Poixsy: to show thereby that he preferred the title of Christian to that of king of France.

2. What words did his mother, the queen, frequently repeat to him?

Queen Blanche, his mother, whilst he was young, frequently repeated to him those beautiful words: " My son, I love you very tenderly; but I would prefer to see you fall dead at my feet, rather than to have you commit one single mortal sin." Louis profited so well by these lessons, that he preserved during life his baptismal innocence.

3. What did he do when he became king?

Having ascended the throne of France, he devoted himself to the promotion of religion and the happiness of his subjects. He gave to the great an example of every virtue; prevented the further progress of heresy, and banished scandal from his kingdom.

4. What else did he do?

He continued the holy war which the Christians were waging against the infidels. He set out for Palestine; landed in Egypt, took Damietta, and was made prisoner. Whilst in captivity, he astonished the barbarians by his greatness of soul and his justice. He returned afterwards to France, and again set out for Africa, where he died near Tunis, as a truly Chris-

tian king, leaving many salutary instructions for his son.

5. Who was St. Ferdinand?

Whilst St. Louis, king of France, was defending the church and edifying the great ones of the earth, St. Ferdinand, king of Castile and Leon, was doing the same in Spain. He conquered a great many cities from the infidels, and re-peopled them with Christians,

6. How was the church still further con soled?

The church was still further consoled aud her losses repaired by the conversion of Livonia, Cumania, and a part of Prussia; so that whatever she has lost on one side she has always gained on another,

7. What general councils were held during die thirteenth century?

The general councils of the thirteenth century were the fourth council of Lateran and the first and second of Lyons, in which the church confirmed the good done by the religious orders and the saints of whom we have spoken, and endeavored to bring back the Greeks to the unity of faith.*

8. What is the order of our Lady of Mercy?

The order of our Lady of Mercy had for its end the ransom of captives from the infidels. St. Peter Nolasco, like St. John of Matha, a Frenchman by birth, was the founder. His religious made a vow to remain in slavery among the infidels, when necessary for the ransom of captives.