May 30, St. Ferdinand III, King, Confessor of the third Order. St. Ferdinand III, King of Castille (Spain), a disciple of Francis in the Third Order, was the nephew of Blanche of Castille, and first …More
May 30, St. Ferdinand III, King, Confessor of the third Order.
St. Ferdinand III, King of Castille (Spain), a disciple of Francis in the Third Order, was the nephew of Blanche of Castille, and first cousin to St. Louis. Born around the year 1200, he was brought up in the purest Christian principles. On becoming King of Castille, at the age of seventeen, he married the virtuous Beatrice, daughter of Philip of Germany, with whom he lived in the most holy union. Although he was often compelled to wage war, he made his reign one of justice and of charity. The Saracens occupied a large part of Spain at that time. Instead of exterminating them, Ferdinand resolved to chase them from his kingdom. With the help of James of Aragon, he continued his conquests, and managed to seize Cordova, the center of Moslem power in Spain. Granada and Seville soon surrendered. The behavior of this holy king showed that piety is not incompatible with a noble patriotism. The care of his kingdoms was not an obstacle to holiness for him, nor even were his wars. He was hard on his body, which he mortified by fasting frequently, and by wearing a hair-shirt under his royal robes at all times, and he prayed continually, especially on the eve of battles. He wished to inspire his soldiers with those feelings of piety with which he was filled himself. His confidence in Mary, whose image he carried in his harness, was truly filial. Like all Christian kings, he behaved as a true king towards his subjects. To those who suggested that he should raise new taxes, he replied, “God forbid that I should overtax my people. I fear the curses of a poor woman more than a whole army of Saracens.” This holy King died on May 30, 1252. – (from) The Franciscan Supplement.
St. Ferdinand III, King of Castille (Spain), a disciple of Francis in the Third Order, was the nephew of Blanche of Castille, and first cousin to St. Louis. Born around the year 1200, he was brought up in the purest Christian principles. On becoming King of Castille, at the age of seventeen, he married the virtuous Beatrice, daughter of Philip of Germany, with whom he lived in the most holy union. Although he was often compelled to wage war, he made his reign one of justice and of charity. The Saracens occupied a large part of Spain at that time. Instead of exterminating them, Ferdinand resolved to chase them from his kingdom. With the help of James of Aragon, he continued his conquests, and managed to seize Cordova, the center of Moslem power in Spain. Granada and Seville soon surrendered. The behavior of this holy king showed that piety is not incompatible with a noble patriotism. The care of his kingdoms was not an obstacle to holiness for him, nor even were his wars. He was hard on his body, which he mortified by fasting frequently, and by wearing a hair-shirt under his royal robes at all times, and he prayed continually, especially on the eve of battles. He wished to inspire his soldiers with those feelings of piety with which he was filled himself. His confidence in Mary, whose image he carried in his harness, was truly filial. Like all Christian kings, he behaved as a true king towards his subjects. To those who suggested that he should raise new taxes, he replied, “God forbid that I should overtax my people. I fear the curses of a poor woman more than a whole army of Saracens.” This holy King died on May 30, 1252. – (from) The Franciscan Supplement.