Franciscan Saint | St. Elizabeth of Hungary
St Elizabeth of Hungary was born in 1207 in Pressburg into the Hungarian royal family. At a young age, she was sent to the court of Thuringia in Germany to prepare for marriage to Louis IV of Thuringia, a German nobleman. They married in 1221 and had three children. Their marriage was remembered as one of deep love, mutual respect and shared faith.
Despite her royal status, Elizabeth lived a simple and austere life. She practised penance and devoted herself to works of charity. During a famine, she opened the royal granaries and distributed grain to the hungry. Louis supported her charitable works.
Elizabeth was deeply influenced by the Franciscan movement and became a member of the Third Order of St Francis, seeking to follow Christ more closely through prayer, sacrifice and care for those who were suffering.
Her life changed dramatically when Louis died in 1227. Widowed at just 20 years old, she gave up much of her wealth and royal privileges. She founded a hospital dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, where she personally cared for the sick.
Elizabeth died on 17 November 1231, at just 24 years of age. Her reputation for holiness spread rapidly, and she was canonised by Pope Gregory IX in 1235, only four years after her death.
Reflection: How can I use the blessings God has given me to bless others?
