Saint Elizabeth of Hungary:

Feast day : 17 November

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, princess of Hungary and an outstanding symbol of Christian charity. She lived during the period 1207-1231. From an early age she was known to be disinterested in worldly pleasures and lived a life of prayer and penance. Though born wealthy and raised in abundance, she devoted all her wealth to the poor and needy and for herself chose to live an austere life. With the support of her husband Louis, she built two hospitals where she herself attended to the sick. After the death of her husband, she devoted the remaining four years of her life in strict penance, living an austere life and performing acts of charity.

Early life:

Saint Elizabeth was born to King Alexander II and Queen Gertrude in Hungary in the year 1207. In the same year, a son was born to Herman, landgrave of Thuringia and was named Louis. He obtained a promise from the King of Hungary that his daughter should be given in marriage to his new-born son, whereby their political alliance would be further strengthened. Accordingly at the age of four, Princess Elizabeth was sent to the court of Thunringia and was from thereon brought up under their care. Elizabeth from an early age was known to have no desire for worldly pleasures and her only pleasure came from prayer and contemplation. Though surrounded by wealth and abundance in every way, she found joy in giving away her wealth to the poor. She used to provide for the poor through all the allowances that her father sent her. She would take on penances and mortifications in the way she dressed and the food she ate. She was educated along-with the sister of Louis. Once when they were dressed alike in royal clothes, Elizabeth took off her coronet when she entered the Church. On seeing her do this, the mother of Louis enquired of her strange behaviour and she replied “How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!” She was condemned for her piety and this incident paved the way to more persecutions.

When Herman passed away, the governance fell into the hands of his widow who regarded her with contempt for her pious ways. But these persecutions were a cause of joy for young Elizabeth and she all the more desired to please God with her simple life. When she was fourteen years of age, she was married to Louis who loved her piety and simple life. With her husband’s consent, Elizabeth continued to live a pious life of prayer, consecrating most of her time to serving the poor and in works of charity. She was known for her austere measures and her meal usually consisted of dry bread and honey. In the absence of her husband she wore coarse cloth of natural color. She inspired her maids to dress simply, make as much penance and prayers and lead a pious life. She often attended to the poor and the sick, washing their sores and attending to even the most heavily infectious patients, all by herself. Though there were many complaints against her, Louis rejoiced in her piety and supported her in all her works of charity. In 1225 when Germany faced a massive famine, Elizabeth emptied the granary to feed the poor and starving people. Some complained of her extravagant generosity but Louis continued to support all her efforts because he firmly believed it would bring more blessings to the people. The orphans too were provided for at her expense. She built two hospitals to care for the sick and orphans. She was known to feed 900 people everyday at her own gate besides the other generous contributions she had approved of with the help of Louis.

Penitential life:

She had three children in their marriage. When she was twenty years of age, Louis joined the Emperor in the Sixth Crusade but fell ill at Otranto. He received his last sacraments at the hands of the patriarch in Jerusalem and died on 11 September 1227. Elizabeth received the news of his death with courage and great many tears. From thereon, she renounced all the world and devoted her life to the Lord. Meanwhile, those who opposed her charity united in opposition to her taking over the governance. Accordingly, the governance fell into the hands of the younger brother of Louis. She was forced to leave the castle and lost her position too. In the days that followed, she struggled to find a secure place for herself, her maids and children. She took her sufferings to the Lord in prayer and embraced them with grace.

Later, she joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and took her vows. Under her spiritual director advice, she lived in a small cottage and spent the last three years of her life in complete devotion, strict penances and acts of charity. She received from her confessor Conrad, a habit made of coarse cloth and imitated the life of nuns. She earned her living by spinning wool and lived an austere life. Though her father, the King of Hungary invited her to his home, she chose to continue in her austere life.

Death & Sainthood:

She continued to serve the sick and poor till her death on 19 November 1231 at the age of twenty four. Several miracles were reported from people who sought her intercession in their needs. She was canonized in 1235 by Pope Gregory IX.