Saint Ferdinand iii of León and Castile, Crusader-King
6m read • Nov 1
Written by Garyn Wells
Contributions & edits by Thomas J. SwansonThe night before my Confirmation, I was still undecided about my Confirmation Saint, when a friend suggested that I look into King Ferdinand III. I had never heard of him before, but when I began researching, I learned that he was a crusader king known for his piety. I read tales of courage, devotion, fortitude, and a deep reverence for Our Lady. On February 11th, 2024, I was Confirmed into the Catholic Church with the Christian name Ferdinand III. To promote devotion to this illustrious Saint which has been largely forgotten in the modern world and to inspire piety, I am writing this article.
Devout Upbringing
St. Ferdinand III was born to Queen Berengaria of Castile and King Alfonso IX of León on July 30, 1199, in the Kingdom of Castile, now modern-day Spain. He was cousins with St. Louis IX who would go on to become king of France. St. Ferdinand’s zeal began young; Queen Berengaria, his mother, being a devout woman raised him to cherish his Catholic faith. His upbringing was rooted in the cardinal virtues, which would go on to form him into a Saint. In 1217, after his mother abdicated in his favor, he inherited the throne of Castile at age 18, igniting his sense of religious duty as he took on the responsibility of expanding his Catholic kingdom. He once said, “I will not only fight for my kingdom, but for my God.”
As he matured, St. Ferdinand united León and Castile to form a strong Christian realm, hoping that the two armies could better aid in the Reconquista. This unification was a pivotal moment in forming what would eventually become Spain.
Faith and Reconquista Efforts
“Without prayer, we are but a shadow; with prayer, we become a light in the darkness.”
—St. Ferdinand III
St. Ferdinand III developed a profound devotion to Our Lady and was known to have a devout prayer life. Humble despite his accomplishments, he recognized himself as a sinner. He was instrumental in the Reconquista, with his most famous battle being the Siege of Seville, a major Muslim stronghold. The siege, lasting 16 months, ended with Muslim surrender. He would always carry a statue of Mary with him into battle. At the battle of Seville he would pray before the likeness of Our Lady nightly. Facing an army larger than his own, he turned to Mary, seeking her intercession, and miraculously won the victory despite the inferior number of his army. He repeated this devotion at the battle of Córdoba, using the Marian banner as a rallying point for his soldiers, symbolizing divine support for their cause.
Saint Ferdinand III had a tender affection for Mary referring to her as “My Lady.” Because of his deep devotion to Mary, many historians record that his kingdom was protected from sickness and famine during his entire reign, a miracle given the era’s circumstances. Ferdinand upheld justice and did not tolerate crime, especially against the Church. When a group of Moors stole the bells from the church of St. James of Compostela, he order they be returned to the church on the backs of Moors.
Contributions to Learning and Religious Institutions
Toward the end of his life, he generously supported the the University of Salamanca and the Order of Santiago, serving as crucial military orders and spiritual missions during the Reconquista. He established various monasteries, which played a vital role in the spiritual and economic revitalization of Spain. Ferdinand promoted pilgrimages to holy sites like Santiago de Compostela, strengthening the spiritual unity of Christians in Iberia. He also converted mosques into cathedrals, most famously dedicating Seville’s Grand Mosque to the Virgin Mary after capturing the city.
The body of St. Ferdinand III, located in The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, better known as Seville Cathedral
Legacy and Canonization
After a series of victories crucial to the Reconquista, St. Ferdinand’s series of victories during the Reconquista bolstered his reputation for heroic fortitude, which reached the Vatican. When his death was approaching, he said, “Look at me here, my Lord Jesus Christ, in Thy presence as a wicked sinner, for I know well the many sins with which I have offended Thee. But as great as they may be, I trust in Thy mercy that, through the merits of Thy holy Passion and Thy most precious death, Thou wilt forgive me of them.” He died on May 30, 1252, leaving behind his seven children. His last words were, “Lord Jesus Christ, my Redeemer! Receive my soul, and through the merits of Thy Most Holy Passion, deign to admit it among those of Thy servants!” He is buried in Seville’s cathedral, where his body is on display in a glass case. 419 years later after his death, on March 30, 1671, he was canonized by Pope Clement X.
St. Ferdinand III is an example of a man of victory, success, and renown, who didn’t hesitate to put Christ and His Church above all else. A man of zeal, humility, reverence, and a truly Marian soul—characteristics which seem always to accompany great Saints. As a crusader-king he was well respected, esteemed highly among men, had truly remarkable feats but he never wavered in his humility, piety, and acknowledgment of God as the giver of all good gifts. His Cousin, St. Louis IX, king of France, had quite a different life. He was plagued with a life of suffering and humiliations yet exhibited the same virtues in similar measure. A Saint is not merely someone blessed by God with good fortune or plagued by penitential suffering. A Saint is someone who always says “Amen, so be it.” amidst whatever God deigns to send their way. A Saint is someone whose life is characterized by humility and reliance on He Who is, the source being itself. A Saint is someone who calls on Mary as a child lovingly calls for its mother. Let us strive to become Saints and pray for the grace to exhibit these wondrous virtues in our day-to-day lives; always saying to Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother “Amen, so be it.”
Let’s invoke St. Ferdinand III as a spiritual father, to obtain for us a share in his virtues, and pace us under the protective mantle of Mary. May this great warrior-Saint help us to curb the influence of all heretics and infidels in Christian lands:
SANCTE FERDINANDE III, ORA PRO NOBISLet us pray.
By delivering your people from the yoke of the infidel,
You, O St. Ferdinand, imitated our Risen Jesus,
Who rescued us from death and restored us to life.
Your conquests were not like those of this world’s conquerors,
driven by pride, but aimed to deliver your people from
oppression. For Christ’s sake, you laid siege to Saracen
cities under His banner, spreading His Kingdom.
He blessed you in all battles, granting you victory.
Amen.
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