St. Elizabeth of Hungary

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, also known as St. Elizabeth of Thuringia, was born in Hungary on July 7, 1207 to the Hungarian King Andrew II and Gertrude of Merania. As soon as her life began, she had responsibilities from being a royal pressed upon her. While Elizabeth was very young, her father arranged for her to be married to Ludwig IV of Thuringia, a German nobleman. Because of this plan, Elizabeth was sent away at the age of four for education at the court of the Landgrave of Thuringia. Elizabeth's mother, Gertrude, was murdered in 1213, when Elizabeth was just six-years-old. According to history, the murder was carried out by Hungarian noblemen due to the conflict between Germans and the Hungarian nobles. From this point on, Elizabeth's perspective on life and death dramatically changed and she sought peace with prayer.

Happiness was returned to her young life in 1221 when she was formally married to Ludwig, whom she deeply loved. Together the couple had three beautiful children, two of whom became members of nobility and the third entering the religious life, becoming abbess of a German convent. Elizabeth continued to live a life full of prayer and a service to the poor. Ludwig, who was now one of the rulers of Thuringia, supported all of Elizabeth's religious endeavors even though she was a part of the royal court. She began to lead an austerely simple life, practiced penance, and devoted herself to works of charity. She used her royal position to advance her mission for charity. In 1223, Franciscan friars arrived in Thuringia and taught 16-year-old Elizabeth all about Francis of Assisi's ideals. She then forth decided to live her life mirroring his.

She wore simple clothing and set aside time every day to take bread to hundreds of poor people in her land. Ludwig and Elizabeth were politically powerful and lived with a remarkable generosity toward the poor. In 1226, when disease and floods struck Thuringia, Elizabeth took to caring for the victims. It is said she even gave away the royal's clothing and goods to the afflicted people. Elizabeth had a hospital built and provided for almost a thousand poor people daily. Elizabeth's life was full of love and faith. However, tragedy struck when Ludwig passed away from illness in 1227. It is said upon hearing the news, she said, "He is dead. He is dead. It is to me as if the whole world died today." His remains were entombed at the Abbey of Reinhardsbrunn.

Elizabeth vowed to never remarry and to live a life similar to a nun, despite pressure from relatives. Her vows included celibacy and an agreement of complete obedience to her confessor and spiritual director, Master Conrad of Marburg. His treatment of Elizabeth was very strict and often harsh. He held her to a standard that many saw as impossible to meet. He provided physical beatings and sent away her children. However, she continued to keep her vow, even offering to cut off her own nose, so she would be too ugly for any man to want. In 1228, Elizabeth joined the Third Order of St. Francis. Elizabeth, having received her dowry, founded a hospital in honor of St. Francis, where she personally attended to the ill. She ministered to the sick and provided support to the poor.

Elizabeth's life was consumed deeply by her devotion to God and her charitable labor. She passed away at the age of 24, on November 17, 1231 in Marburg, Hesse. One of her greatest known miracles occurred when she was still alive, the miracle of roses. It is said that during one of her many trips delivering bread to the poor in secret, Ludwig met with her and asked her questions to erase everyone's suspicions that she was stealing treasures from the castle. He asked her to reveal the contents under her cloak, and as she did a vision of white and red roses was seen. To Ludwig, this meant God's protection was evident. In other versions, it was her brother-in-law who found her. Elizabeth's story is one of the first of many that associates Christian saints with roses. Another living miracle involved a leper lying the bed she shared with her husband. Her mother-in-law discovered Elizabeth had placed a leper in the bed, and feeling enraged, she informed Ludwig. Annoyed with the situation, Ludwig removed the bedclothes and instantly the "Almighty God opened the eyes of his soul, and instead of a leper he saw the figure of Christ crucified stretched upon the bed." After her death, miraculous healings began to occur at her graveside near her hospital. Pope Gregory IX canonized her on May 27, 1235.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary is celebrated on November 17th, the anniversary of her death, during the late autumn season when the Church reflects on the themes of thanksgiving and preparation for winter. This feast is celebrated as a memorial in the Roman Catholic Church, recognizing Elizabeth's importance as a model of charity and service to the poor. The feast falls during a time when many people are preparing for the winter months and reflecting on the blessings of the harvest, making it an ideal time to remember Elizabeth's generosity and her example of sharing God's gifts with others. The feast provides an opportunity to honor Elizabeth's memory and to reflect on how we can serve the poor and suffering in our own communities.

Traditions and Customs

On the feast day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, many people participate in special prayers and devotions to honor her memory and seek her intercession. Churches, particularly those with connections to charitable ministries or hospitals, hold special Masses and services. Many people gather to pray for the poor and suffering, asking for St. Elizabeth's intercession in helping them to serve those in need. The day is also marked by acts of charity and service, with many people volunteering at soup kitchens, donating to food banks, or performing other acts of kindness in honor of Elizabeth's example. Many people also take time to reflect on their own call to serve others and to pray for the grace to be generous with their time and resources. The feast is also a time to reflect on how we can incorporate Elizabeth's virtues of charity, humility, and service into our daily lives.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for the gift of charity and the ability to serve others with love and generosity. Many people make special petitions for the poor and suffering, asking for St. Elizabeth's intercession in helping them to find comfort and assistance. The day is also a time to reflect on the importance of serving others and to pray for the grace to see Christ in every person, especially those who are most in need. St. Elizabeth's feast day encourages us to remember that we are all called to be saints and that holiness is achieved through love and service to others. It is also a time to pray for the grace to be generous with our resources and to use our gifts and talents for the benefit of others. The feast reminds us that every act of charity, no matter how small, has eternal value and that we are called to be instruments of God's love in the world.