St. Elizabeth of Hungary, also known as St. Elizabeth of Thuringia, stands as a radiant example of charity and humility. Born in 1207 into the royal family of Hungary, she was the daughter of King Andrew II and Queen Gertrude of Merania. Despite her noble birth and wealth, Elizabeth embraced the spirit of poverty and devoted her life to serving Christ in the poor and suffering.
Early Life and Marriage
At a young age, Elizabeth was betrothed to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia. Raised in the Wartburg Castle in Germany, she received a devout upbringing that instilled in her a profound love for God and a strong sense of justice. Elizabeth and Louis married in 1221, a union marked by deep affection and mutual support in their spiritual lives. Louis admired her piety and actively encouraged her acts of charity.
Despite her position as a princess, Elizabeth led a life of simplicity, wearing modest clothes and distributing much of her wealth to the poor. She established hospitals and personally attended to the sick, earning the love of her people.
Widowhood and Trials
In 1227, tragedy struck when Louis IV died of plague while on a crusade. At just 20 years old, Elizabeth was left a widow with three children. Her husband’s death brought not only grief but also a dramatic change in her circumstances. Elizabeth faced hostility from the court of Thuringia, as her in-laws viewed her generosity as excessive and irresponsible. Stripped of her dowry and status, she found refuge with her uncle, the Bishop of Bamberg.
Elizabeth accepted her suffering with great faith, seeing it as a means of uniting herself more closely to the Passion of Christ. Her life of charity continued unabated, and she made a solemn vow to live in complete poverty. She joined the Third Order of St. Francis, becoming one of its first members in Germany, and devoted herself entirely to the service of the poor.
A Life of Holiness
St. Elizabeth founded a hospital in Marburg, where she personally tended to the sick, often bathing their wounds and caring for those afflicted with leprosy. Her humility and tireless dedication to the marginalized reflected her deep love for Christ, whom she saw in the faces of the poor.
She performed numerous miracles during her lifetime, including the famous “Miracle of the Roses.” When confronted by her in-laws for allegedly squandering the castle’s resources on the poor, she opened her cloak, which was said to be full of bread, and revealed a cascade of roses instead—signifying divine approval of her charity.
Death and Canonization
Elizabeth’s intense life of prayer, penance, and service took a toll on her health. She died on November 17, 1231, at the age of 24. Her sanctity was recognized almost immediately, and she was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1235, just four years after her death.
Her relics became the focus of great veneration, and the church built in her honor in Marburg became a site of pilgrimage. She is the patroness of hospitals, nurses, bakers, and charitable societies.
Spiritual Legacy
St. Elizabeth of Hungary’s life exemplifies the Gospel call to love one’s neighbor with radical generosity. Her example inspires countless faithful to embrace a spirit of selflessness and to see Christ in the suffering. Her feast day is celebrated on November 17.
Prayer to St. Elizabeth of Hungary
O Glorious St. Elizabeth, You who abandoned earthly riches to serve Christ in the poor and suffering,
intercede for us, that we may imitate your love for the least among us.
Teach us to trust in Divine Providence and to embrace our trials with faith.
Through your powerful intercession, may we grow in holiness and charity,
and one day join you in the eternal joy of heaven.
Amen.