Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is revered for her profound charity, humility, and unwavering devotion to the poor and sick, embodying a life of self-sacrifice and Franciscan spirituality.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231), a princess and queen, is celebrated for her extraordinary compassion and dedication to the marginalized, earning her a place among the most beloved saints. Despite her royal status as the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and wife of Louis IV of Thuringia, she lived a life marked by profound piety and austerity, often personally tending to the sick and distributing alms to the poor, even using royal funds for their benefit. After her husband's death, she renounced worldly life, became a Franciscan Tertiary, and dedicated herself entirely to works of charity, founding hospitals and caring for the needy, thus serving as a powerful example of Christian love and self-emptying service within the Church.
Born in 1207, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was a princess of the Arpad dynasty, daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Merania. From her earliest years, Elizabeth displayed a profound piety and a tender heart for the less fortunate, traits that set her apart from the typical royal upbringing. At the tender age of four, she was betrothed for political reasons to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, and sent to the court at Wartburg Castle in Germany to be raised with her future husband. Even as a child, she showed an unusual detachment from worldly pleasures, often preferring prayer and acts of charity to the amusements of court life, which sometimes drew the disapproval of those around her, including her future mother-in-law, Sophia of Thuringia, and her husband's siblings. Her spiritual formation was deeply influenced by the burgeoning Franciscan movement, which emphasized poverty, humility, and service to the poor, ideals she embraced wholeheartedly from a young age.
One cold winter's day, the snow lay thick upon the ground, and a biting wind swept through the forests of Thuringia. Princess Elizabeth, ever mindful of the suffering of her people, had secretly filled her apron with bread, eggs, and other provisions. Her heart ached for the hungry and the sick she knew were sheltering in the humble cottages beyond the castle walls. Despite the disapproval of some at court who found her charity excessive for a royal, Elizabeth's compassion knew no bounds. As she made her way down the winding path from Wartburg Castle, her apron heavy with sustenance, she unexpectedly encountered her husband, Landgrave Louis IV, returning from a hunt. He looked at her, surprised to see her out in such weather, and with a bulky apron. "What do you carry there, my dear Elizabeth?" he inquired, his tone perhaps a mix of curiosity and mild exasperation, for he was aware of her constant almsgiving and the murmurs it caused. Elizabeth, startled and perhaps a little fearful of being discovered in her secret mission, hesitated. Her heart pounded, but she knew she could not lie. With a trembling hand, she opened her apron, expecting to reveal the loaves and provisions. But to her, and Louis's, astonishment, the apron was no longer filled with bread and eggs. Instead, a cascade of the most exquisite, fragrant red roses tumbled forth, even in the depths of winter. Louis, witnessing this undeniable miracle, was struck with awe and profound reverence. He understood then, more deeply than ever before, the divine favor that rested upon his beloved wife. From that day forward, he became her staunchest defender, supporting her in her tireless works of charity and recognizing the true sanctity that shone through her life.
October 20, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the series of our catecheses on some women saints, today I would like to speak of St Elizabeth of Hungary, also known as Elizabeth of Thuringia, who lived in the 13th century. She was born in 1207, the daughter of Andrew II, King of Hungary, and Gertrude of Merania. Elizabeth spent only 24 years on this earth, but in this short life she reached such a degree of holiness that she became one of the most luminous figures of Christian history. The spiritual ideal of St Francis of Assisi, who was canonized in 1228, two years before Elizabeth’s death, found in her a fruitful reception, a significant woman who welcomed his message, transforming it into concrete life. Elizabeth was born into the wealthy and carefree environment of a royal court. Yet, she was sensitive to God’s voice and perceived the suffering of the poor, the sick and the marginalized. Thus, from a very young age, she was profoundly committed to the path of evangelical perfection. At the age of four she was sent to the court of Thuringia, in central Germany, to be betrothed to Louis IV, the Landgrave, a young nobleman of that region. Elizabeth and Louis grew up together and their marriage was celebrated in 1221. Louis was a just and religious man; aware of Elizabeth’s qualities, he himself saw the special attention she paid to the poor and to prayer. In fact, he was deeply edified by his wife’s faith and, despite the fact that her behaviour was sometimes misunderstood by his relatives, Louis defended her against those who criticized her. The marriage was a happy one: Elizabeth and Louis had three children. When a third child was born, Louis gathered his vassals and, placing his hands on the relics, swore that he would never again take up the cross on any Crusade, but would dedicate himself to the poor and needy. This decision, however, was not taken lightly, for the Emperor Frederick II, a powerful monarch, was then preparing a new Crusade to the Holy Land. Louis was urged to join him, and he did so, but in September 1227, at the age of 27, he died of a fever in Otranto, before setting sail. Elizabeth was heartbroken. She felt as though her joy had been extinguished. She said, “The world is dead to me, and all that was in the world”. She was truly disconsolate. Along with the suffering, Elizabeth also had to bear the persecution of her husband’s brother, Henry, who claimed the throne for himself, claiming that Elizabeth was a pious fanatic, incapable of ruling. Elizabeth and her three children were driven from the castle of Wartburg, where they lived. She was reduced to begging for food for herself and her children. However, a few faithful subjects remained loyal to her and secretly supported her. In the end, Henry, moved by the steadfastness of Elizabeth’s faith and the firmness of her will, restored her property to her. Elizabeth, with the help of her confessor, the Franciscan friar, Conrad of Marburg, founded a hospital in Marburg, where she personally cared for the sick. She also continued to give alms, even after she had exhausted her own resources. She died in 1231, at the age of 24. Her death was mourned by many, and she was canonized in 1235 by Pope Gregory IX. The ‘Miracle of the Roses’, celebrated by Novalis, who dedicated a beautiful poem to Elizabeth, illustrates her two loves: love of God and love of neighbour.
On her feast day, Catholics worldwide are encouraged to reflect on Saint Elizabeth's radical dedication to the poor and sick, inspiring renewed efforts in almsgiving, visiting the ill, and other corporal works of mercy.
Her life exemplified profound charity and service to the marginalized, making her a model for Christian compassion.
Many Catholic charitable societies, hospitals, and nursing organizations, including those in the U.S. and Europe, observe her feast day with special Masses, events, or prayers, as she is widely recognized as their patroness.
Saint Elizabeth is the patroness of Catholic Charities, nurses, hospitals, and the sick due to her tireless work in caring for the needy.
In some regions, particularly in parts of Germany and Hungary where her veneration is strong, or in homes devoted to her, there is a pious custom of blessing roses or bread on her feast day, recalling the miraculous transformation of bread into roses.
This tradition is directly linked to the popular legend of the Miracle of the Roses, where bread Elizabeth was carrying for the poor miraculously turned into roses.
Saint Elizabeth is revered as a patron saint by bakers, and historically, bakers' guilds in various European countries would hold special observances, Masses, or feasts on her day, celebrating her connection to bread and sustenance.
She is recognized as a patroness of bakers, possibly due to her association with bread (the Miracle of the Roses) and her provision of food for the poor.
A specific type of bread, sometimes blessed, baked and traditionally shared or given to the poor on her feast day.
This bread commemorates the 'Miracle of the Roses,' a pious legend where bread Saint Elizabeth was carrying for the poor miraculously transformed into roses, and it symbolizes her lifelong dedication to providing food for the hungry. Bakers also consider her a patroness.
The custom of preparing and distributing meals, or making food donations to food banks and charities, is a common practice on her feast day.
This culinary habit directly reflects Saint Elizabeth's central mission and legacy of profound charity and service to the poor and sick, especially through acts of feeding the hungry.