Today is the anniversary of the death of King Louis XVI
.
King Louis XVI in his last months
Image: Wikimedia
The website
Tea at Trianon has an article from 2009 which is a profile of the King written to rebutt many of the oft-repeated but inaccurate things said about him and which can be seen at
Louis XVI: A King Maligned
There is an article from
History Today in 2004 which looks at some of the early influences on the future King which can be read at
Birth of Louis XVI of France
King Louis XVI as a young man
Image: Media Storehouse
The Daily Telegraph had an article in 2012 about the death of the King and a blood relic which also included the executioner Sanson’s recollections of his victim’s steadfastness and faith. It can be seen at Louis XVI blood mystery 'solved'
In past years I have referred to requiems offered for him and I have made another online search for links to such liturgical celebrations.
all from Ite missa est.
The Spanish born Legitimist claimant to the French throne - King Louis XX to his supporters - who also claims the title Duc d’Anjou from the line of King Felipe V of Spain is featured in an article from 2017 on Church Militant French Royalists Commemorate Murder of King Louis XVI
It is quite interesting to learn that his birthday is August 25th, the feast of St Louis (IX) but the reference to the accidental death of his father does seem, well, somewhat gratuitous….
Today is also the anniversary of the accession of the current Orleanist claimant - King Jean IV - in 2019. Wikipedia has an entry about him at
From this side of the Channel there is notice of a Mass that was celebrated at
Rye in 2015 in association with the London Oratory at Requiem Mass for King Louis XVI
The Anglican/Episcopalian website
Justus Anglican has an article about the King, very much in the tradition of celebrations in the High Anglican tradition for King Charles I, King and Martyr in this country at Louis XVI of France, King and Martyr
That last website includes two Collects for the King, of which I am reproducing the ones in more traditional language:
O Almighty God, who didst call thy servant Louis to an earthly Throne that he might advance thy heavenly kingdom, and, when his throne was violently overturned, didst give him boldness to confess the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may in ready obedience accept both prosperity and adversity at thy hand, and that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of the same our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyr Louis Triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Pray for the repose of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, their son King Louis XVII, for the Royal House of France and for the Church in France.
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