Requiems for King Louis XVI

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.

The New Liturgical Movement in 2013 had a report of one such Mass at Requiem for Louis XVI in Paris

Last year they reported on the Mass for him art St Eugéne et Ste Cècile in Paris in Annual Requiem for King Louis XVI in Paris

Videos of the 2018 Mass can be seen at louis xvi requiem, from last year at louis xvi requiem, and the one offered yesterday for this year’s anniversary at louis xvi requiem, 

all from Ite missa est.

Tea at Trianon has a video from 2020 of the Requiem offered that year at A Requiem Mass for Louis XVI

A Catholic Life has a note with photographs from 2013 about the Mass at Requiem for His Royal Highness, King Louis XVI

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 

Jean, Count of Paris.

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.