Life and works of King Baudoin
Committed to the defense of life, a pious and intelligent man, the fifth King of the Belgians can be an example of holiness for us all.
During his apostolic journey, Pope Francis honored his memory. He also initiated his beatification process in order to set an example for leaders around the world. The last politician to be beatified was the Emperor of Austria, Charles I, by Pope John Paul II in 2004.
Baudoin's childhood and youth
Baudoin was born into a happy family on September 7, 1930. His father, Léopold, was not yet king. It was his very popular grandfather who reigned.
But young Baudouin's early years were saddened by family tragedies. His grandfather died in 1934 in a mountain-climbing accident, and his parents acceded to the throne, but sadly, the beautiful Queen Astrid died tragically in a car accident in 1935.
Then, in 1940, the Second World War broke out. Baudoin was 10 years old and had to leave his country with his family. This exile took place first in France, then in Spain.
Baudouin's father remarried in 1941. In 1944, the entire family was taken by the Nazis to a castle in Germany, then to Austria. They were rescued by the Americans on May 7, 1945.
Although the war was over, the royal family did not return to Belgium, and settled in Pregny, Switzerland, until 1950. Prince Baudouin continued his studies in Geneva.
King after months of exile
In 1950, Leopold and his two sons returned to Belgium. He asked the government to pass a law delegating powers to his son Baudouin. This gave him the title of Prince Royal. Then, on July 17, 1951, he took the oath and became the fifth King of the Belgians at the age of 21.
The 50s and 60s were marked by a number of tense political moments: the question of school education, a difficult economic situation that led to rising unemployment. The government therefore decided to pursue a regional economic policy. During the first ten years of his reign, King Baudouin was alone, but with a strong desire to marry.
A king and queen at the service of their people
King Baudouin had a great desire to marry in his heart, a desire he confided in particular during a night of prayer at the grotto in Lourdes when he went there on pilgrimage. He asked Our Lady of Lourdes to "settle the question of marriage". Some time later, he returned on pilgrimage, as Cardinal Suenens explains in a book about the King of the Belgians. During this pilgrimage, he asked the Virgin Mary for confirmation of the woman accompanying him, to find out if it was really her. At the end of the pilgrimage, he asks her to marry him. Her name was Fabiola, and she was a member of the Spanish aristocracy. He married her on December 15, 1960 at the Château de Laeken in Brussels.
The Queen devoted herself to social and children's causes, and set up a Queen's Social Secretariat at the Royal Palace to respond to the many requests for help.
Baudouin and Fabiola were loved by their people, and both were committed to the fight against poverty, social exclusion and for life. Strong believers, they rely on each other to live their faith and carry out their mission.
Together, they faced the painful ordeal of wanting a child. On several occasions, the queen became pregnant but was unable to carry the pregnancy to term.
However, they managed to keep joy in their hearts, and a deep faith in Christ and his holy Mother.
"There are a thousand ways to love. The more we discover this wonderful and essential art, the better we'll understand that to love is to serve, to think of others first, forgetting our own fears, to share unceasingly, to give joy." Queen Fabiola.
The King's fight for life and final years
"I could only do it through the power of the Holy Spirit" is how the King of the Belgians explains his withdrawal during the vote on the decriminalization of abortion.
It was March 1990, and Belgium was about to sign a law in favor of abortion. The laws were promulgated by the King. But as a Catholic, the King refused to sign the law. In accordance with a constitutional provision, the King indicated that he was unable to reign and abdicated for a few hours. During this time, the law was signed. This operation lasted 2 days.
In a letter to the Prime Minister of the day, the King explained his refusal to ratify the law and also that it was not his place to judge those in favor of abortion.
In 1993, after a difficult political year, the King and Queen were enjoying some restful moments in their villa in Motril, Spain. On July 31, at around 9:30pm, the King and Queen had not yet had dinner when Fabiola found her husband dead on the terrace.
His sudden death provoked a wave of emotion in the sovereign's homeland. His funeral was held in Brussels on August 9, 1993.
An example for rulers
Following in the footsteps of St. Louis, St. Joan of Arcand so many others, we need politically committed men and women to inspire and guide our leaders. We can turn to their intercession to entrust our politicians with the choices they have to make day after day.
King Baudoin's prayer
"King Baudouin of Belgium: "What does it matter if I have to drink a bitter chalice, and if I feel my heart sad until death: since it is You, Jesus, who want the sacrifice, I don't count. As you wish, my Jesus, drop the veil, show me Your beauty, hold me in Your arms, or steal every star from the darkened sky: I don't count. Give me, my Jesus, your Peace or the Storm, crown my efforts, or do not support me, under the weight of pain let my head bow: I do not count. Let my heart be bruised, even by those I love, what does it matter, my Jesus, for You will love me! Let the good I do be suspected: I don't count. If by incessant labor You want me to honor You, or if I must languish in impotence, alas! What does it matter, my Jesus! You want it: I adore You! I don't count. If I have to finish climbing Calvary, if the Cyrenian even misses my steps, what does it matter, my Jesus! You'll see my misery. I don't count."
Jesus: "If your faith, dear child, is so great and so high, if you want to forget yourself to live in my arms, I know, I can, I love you and I count, if you don't count!"
King Baudouin of Belgium: "My pleasure, my joy, my suffering don't matter! Jesus alone must count in my heart here below. Glory, love and recognition belong to Him alone: I don't count.
So be it."
The beatification process
"As soon as I return to Rome, I will open the process for the beatification of King Baudoin: may his example as a man of faith enlighten those in power." Pope Francis
During his apostolic visit to Belgium, the Pope paid his respects at the tomb of King Baudoin, accompanied by the King and Queen of the Belgians. He recalled the late king's fight for life and his deep faith in Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The Pope has asked Belgium's bishops to get involved in the beatification process, so that King Baudouin can be included in the catalog of saints.
We can already pray to him for our rulers who are called upon to legislate on ethical issues, so that the human dignity, in particular, of which Pope John Paul II speaks, is respected.
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