She was the daughter of Andrew II, King of Hungary, and was very devout from a young age. She would often give away her possessions to the poor and sick, and had a special love for lepers.
She was placed in an arranged marriage, and, as providence would have it, she was married to another devout soul: Louis, the Landgrave of Thuringia. Her husband encouraged her in the works of charity and they were said to have had an “unusually happy marriage”.
St. Elizabeth, as part of her charitable works, built a hospital next to their castle, and, would personally tend to the sick and the poor, feeding over 900 people daily.
Sadly, her husband died on his way to fight in the crusades, and Louis’ brothers, rose up against her, and drove her out of the castle. She was forced to flee with her 4 children, one of those children being only 2 months old. She was cast out, like the Holy Family, she could find no place to enter, for people were afraid to take her in out of fear of her husband’s brothers. Like the Holy family she was granted asylum in a stable.
The amazing thing, she didn’t complain, she didn’t curse God, she saw this as a sign of God’s favor, and she gave thanks to God for permitting her a share in the savior’s cross and be conformed to the Holy Family. She continued to work odd jobs, spinning garments and selling them. She was allowed to come back to the castle under the new emperor, and even built a second hospital.
She died at the age of 24. Yet, because of the great number of miracles at her grave, Pope Gregory canonized her, only four years after her death. She is invoked as patron saint of third order Franciscans.
Here was a holy woman, more concerned about the nobility of her soul, than her noble status in the world—more concerned with clothing her soul with virtue, than with the fine garments of a queen—a holy, virtuous woman, industrious in doing good works.
Because her eyes were set on heaven, when she met the cross, she did not despair; rather, she saw the sufferings of her life as an opportunity to conform herself to Our Lord. So let us follow in Elizabeth’s footsteps, in performing many good works and accepting all of the trials that God deigns to send us, and learn to accept the cross with gratitude that we may partake in the cross of His son, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For our consecrated religious, particularly those under the patronage of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, may they be strengthened and supported in their witness to Christ’s saving Gospel.
That families experiencing division may know the peace and reconciliation that comes from Christ.
For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, or for those who will die today: that they will be fortified and blessed with God’s special favor and consolation.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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