Louis de Blois facts for kids

Louis de Blois, also known as Blosius, was a famous monk and writer from Flanders (which is now part of Belgium). He was born in October 1506 and passed away on January 7, 1566. He belonged to the Benedictine religious group and was known for his deep spiritual writings.

The Life of Louis de Blois

Early Years and Education

Louis de Blois was born in October 1506 at Donstienne castle, near Liège. His family was very important and had connections to many royal families. He was one of ten children.

When he was young, Louis served as a page at the court of the Habsburg Netherlands. He worked for Charles V, who would later become a powerful emperor. Charles V remained a good friend to Louis throughout his life.

At the age of 14, Louis decided to become a monk. He joined the Benedictine community at Liessies Abbey in Hainaut. After his first year as a monk, called a novitiate, he went to study at the University of Louvain.

Becoming an Abbot

In 1527, Louis was called back to Liessies Abbey. He became an assistant, or coadjutor, to the Abbot, Gilles Gippus. Just three years later, in 1530, Louis took over as the 34th Abbot of Liessies. He was very young to be in such an important position.

When Louis first became Abbot, some of the monks were not following the rules very strictly. He was patient with them and tried to avoid arguments.

Leading a Monastery

In 1537, the region of Flanders was invaded by Francis I of France. Liessies Abbey was close to the border, making it unsafe. Louis suggested moving the monks to a safer place called Ath. However, many monks did not want to follow his strict rules and chose to go to other monasteries instead.

Louis, along with three other monks, moved to Ath. There, he immediately brought back the original strict rules of the Benedictine order. Even though there was some disagreement, his reforms became popular, and more people joined them.

In 1545, it was safe to return to Liessies. The monks who had stayed behind accepted Louis's reforms. The way he ran his monastery became an example for other Benedictine communities.

Even though Emperor Charles V wanted him to become the Archbishop of Cambrai, Louis chose to stay at his monastery. He focused on improving his community and writing spiritual books. He passed away at his monastery on January 7, 1566.

Louis de Blois's Writings

Louis de Blois wrote many books in Latin. His works have been translated into almost every European language. They were popular not only among Roman Catholics but also with famous English people like William Ewart Gladstone and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Some of his most well-known books include:

• Institutio Spiritualis (which means A Book of Spiritual Instruction)
• Consolatio Pusillanimium (which means Comfort for the Faint Hearted)
• Sacellum Animae Fidelis (which means The Sanctuary of the Faithful Soul)
• Speculum Monachorum (which means The Mirror of Monks)

These books have been reprinted many times. Louis de Blois's ideas about the monastic life greatly influenced monks across Europe. His writings continue to inspire many Christians today in their daily lives.

Images for kids

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  A wooden sculpture of Louis de Blois.

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  The title page from Louis de Blois's collected works, published in Antwerp in 1632.