(1214-1270) Noted for his justice, ability, charity and personal piety, Saint Louis became the arbiter of Europe. His zeal for the glory of God was incomparable in his private and public life, and in his direction of the great nation that God had given him to rule. This outstanding model for Christian statesmen was every inch a king and every inch a Saint. 128 pages, illustrations.

Eight centuries ago died the idealistic, just and austere Capetian King of France, Saint Louis IX.  Formed in his saintly mother's uncompromising school of virtue, this great lover of prayer, fasting and penance met injustice and blasphemy everywhere with indefatigable energy and common sense, while remaining graciously kind and "every inch a king."  His unrelenting spirit of peace did not prevent him from launching two Crusades against the Saracens who were infringing upon God's rights.  Nor did his pious love of the Church impede him from resisting unworthy churchmen when necessary, though he was the living embodiment of the Christianity of his time.  He lived only for his subjects' welfare and for God's glory.  May all Christians, high and low, imitate this unswervingly virtuous king who was also "every inch a saint."

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