St. Joseph Commandery honors St. Louis IX, King of France at his Festival

Feast of St. Louis IX, King of France
August 25 A.D. 2026

The Men of St. Joseph Commandery 973 of The Knights of St. John proudly served again at the 2026 Festival of St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.

We added our presence to the Solemn Vespers on August 24th, offered by the Canons of The Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest at St. Francis de Sales Oratory. The Knights have recently established an official detachment at this parish, making it the second Institute parish in the country with which we are affiliated, coupled with St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit, Michigan.

During the day of the festival, we served at The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at The Oratory of Saints Gregory & Augustine, and the Procession to the Apotheosis of St. Louis on Art Hill in Forest Park. We were assigned by Reverend Monsignor Eugene C. Morris, rector of The Oratory, to guard the First Class Relic of the Saint and King during the procession and the Holy Rosary at the park.

Taken directly from the “Festival of Saint Louis” website – festivalofsaintlouis.com:

“The multitude of traditional liturgies, educational conferences, public Rosaries, festive meals, and, of course, the procession across town with the relic of Saint Louis, our crusader king, make it one of the most joyful patronal feasts in the world.”

To learn more about the Knights of St. John. Or, if you are: a Catholic man of the Western or Eastern Church; at least 16 years old; and, up to the adventure and challenge to join us, please visit: knightsofstjohn.com

Vive le Roi!

{All photos with the “Oratory of Saints Gregory & Augustine” logo are credited to Theresa Colombini.}

Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Ryan
​President, Commandery 973​
​President, Supreme Subordinate Commandery USA