St. Isabel (31 August): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Blessed Isabelle of France was a princess who could have become an empress—but believed it greater to belong entirely to Jesus Christ. Born in 1225 to King Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile, Isabelle was the beloved sister of St. Louis IX. From childhood, she displayed remarkable intelligence, mastering Latin well enough to correct the compositions of her chaplains. Yet knowledge never distracted her from prayer, charity, work, and the pursuit of virtue. At thirteen, Isabelle resolved to consecrate her virginity to God. When a marriage was proposed between her and Conrad, son of Emperor Frederick II, her family and even the pope encouraged the union for the supposed benefit of Church and state. Isabelle respectfully refused, declaring it greater to be the least among virgins consecrated to God than to become an empress. She fasted three days each week, ate only simple food, and sent the finest dishes from her table to the poor. When St. Louis asked for the first cap she had made, Isabelle explained that her first fruits belonged to Christ and gave it to a poor man. She then lovingly made another for her brother. Humility remained her favorite virtue. She founded the Franciscan Abbey of the Humility of Our Lady at Longchamp, honoring the profound humility of the Blessed Virgin. Although illness prevented her from making a formal religious profession, she lived near the monastery in prayer, mortification, charity, and patient suffering. Blessed Isabelle of France, pray for us! 00:00 Blessed Isabelle of France 00:17 Daughter of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile 00:25 Formed in religion and heroic virtue 00:34 Her remarkable command of Latin 00:43 A life of prayer, reading, and work 00:51 Consecrating her virginity to God 00:58 A proposed imperial marriage 01:15 Isabelle refuses the imperial crown 01:23 Her remarkable answer to the pope 01:38 Choosing peace over the corruption of court 01:47 Fasting and simple food 01:54 Giving the finest dishes to the poor 02:03 St. Louis asks for her handmade cap 02:10 Giving her first fruits to Christ 02:27 Her love of humility 02:36 Founding the Humility of Our Lady 02:43 The Blessed Virgin’s profound humility 02:52 The Franciscan community at Longchamp 02:59 Isabelle retires near the monastery 03:08 Why she made no formal profession 03:16 Prayer and patience through sickness 03:24 Visits from St. Louis IX 03:31 Her death and relics 03:39 Her beatification and liturgical honor https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/august/st-isabel/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #SaintIsabel #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicSaints #SaintOfTheDay #FaithAndHumility #CatholicChurch #saintstories 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴