(1207 – November 17, 1231)
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Proverbs 31:20
In her short life, Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people throughout Europe.
She was born in Hungary in 1207, the daughter of Andrew, King of Hungary. From the beginning of her life, she was ridiculed by people who were jealous of her. They noticed that she was always trying to be holy. As she would play games with the other children, she would always contrive little ways to sneak into the chapel and have a visit with Jesus.
Betrothed to Louis of Thuringia at four years of age, Elizabeth married the 21-year-old Louis when she was 14 years old. Later, they had three children Herman, Sophia and Gertrude. Early in their marriage, Louis rebuked Elizabeth because she was always serving people. Although Elizabeth was Queen, she longed to live the life of poverty she heard about through the Franciscans. She constantly gave her jewels and best clothes to the poor. Sometimes she gave everything away and had nothing to wear, but Jesus always provided for her. When she emptied the castle storehouses of grain for the poor, Jesus would miraculously fill them up again. “That’s no work for a Queen,” Louis reprimanded her. Once he demanded to know what she was carrying in her cloak. When he pulled it open, instead of finding provisions for the poor as he expected, out cascaded lovely red and white roses. Louis knew then that she was indeed a holy woman and from that point on he dedicated his life to sharing her ministry.
After only six years of marriage, Louis died of the plague while on a crusade and Elizabeth was devastated. Louis’ greedy brother, Henry, drove Elizabeth and her children out of Wartburg Castle the winter Louis died. She suffered great hardships until she was taken in by her uncle, the Bishop of Bamberg, who wanted her to remarry. Elizabeth refused, having promised Louis that she would not marry again.
Seeing that her children were taken care of by relatives, Elizabeth entered the Order of St. Francis. Master Conrad of Marburg, who was assigned to be her mentor and confessor, was very strict and harsh with her. But, Elizabeth continued her works of charity among the poor, the sick and the homeless. She fished at the river to earn more money to help them. Elizabeth was especially concerned about the orphans and the elderly and built hospitals with her own funds to take care of them. She had so much compassion toward them that she herself tended to their needs, cleaning their homes and spinning yarn for their clothes.
Elizabeth lived with great austerity and worked continually in her hospice and in the homes of the poor. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, or Thuringia, is the first royal Franciscan tertiary to be canonized. She died at only twenty-four years old, and the world lost of one of the most pious women to ever live. Within four short years, Pope Gregory IX named her a Saint (in May of 1235). She is most remembered for her gentle, charitable nature and complete devotion to God’ s will. Her popularity was immediate, with most of her followers living in the regions in and around Germany and Hungary. Because St. Elizabeth’s dedication to the poor, the sick and the homeless so closely exemplifies the work of Catholic Charities, she was chosen to be its patroness saint.
St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, tertiaries, widows, and young brides. Her symbols are alms, flowers, bread, the poor, and a pitcher.
Prayer to St. Elizabeth:
O God, by whose gift Saint Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and revered Christ in the poor, grant, through her intercession, that we may serve with unfailing charity the needy and those afflicted. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.