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SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY


Discover the Early Life, Charity, history, Miracle, Canonization and Legacy of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.
Image of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary


By Edward Matulanya 

Here are Early Life, Charity, history, Miracle, Canonization and Legacy of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.

1. Early Life of Saint Elizabeth

St. Elizabeth of Hungary was born in 1207 in Pressburg (modern Bratislava), the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and Queen Gertrude (Bihl, 1909). From a young age, she was known for her piety, devotion to prayer, and concern for the poor (Schwandtnerova & Csampai, 2013). At the age of four, she was betrothed to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, a political alliance typical of medieval royal families (Britannica, 2023).

2. Marriage and Charitable Works of Saint Elizabeth

Elizabeth married Louis IV when she was around 14 years old and lived in Thuringia (Britannica, 2023). Despite her royal status, she lived modestly and frequently gave her personal possessions, including food and clothing, to the poor (Wolf, 2010). One of the most famous legends of her life is the Miracle of the Roses; while secretly carrying bread to distribute to the poor, the bread is said to have miraculously turned into roses when she was confronted (Britannica, 2023). This story has become a symbol of her charity and divine favor.

3. Widowhood and Religious Life of Saint Elizabeth

In 1227, Louis IV died while on a crusade, leaving Elizabeth widowed at the age of 20 (Britannica, 2023). Following his death, she refused remarriage and dedicated herself to a life of poverty, joining the Third Order of St. Francis (Bihl, 1909). She moved to Marburg, Germany, where she founded a hospital and personally cared for the sick, especially those suffering from severe illnesses (Bihl, 1909; Wolf, 2010). Elizabeth often walked barefoot, exemplifying her humility and total devotion to service.

4. Miracles and Canonization of Saint Elizabeth

Elizabeth died on November 17, 1231, at the age of 24 (Britannica, 2023). After her death, many miraculous healings were reported at her tomb in Marburg, and these testimonies were central to her canonization process (Wolf, 2010). She was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1235, only four years after her death, one of the fastest canonizations in Church history (Bihl, 1909). Her shrine in Marburg became an important pilgrimage site, drawing countless visitors seeking spiritual aid (Wolf, 2010).

5. Legacy and Influence of Saint Elizabeth

St. Elizabeth is remembered as a model of lay sanctity, a royal woman who renounced wealth and privilege to serve the poor (Schwandtnerova & Csampai, 2013). She is the patron saint of hospitals, nurses, widows, bakers, and charitable societies (Wolf, 2010). In Christian art, she is often depicted carrying roses or bread, symbolizing her famous miracle and devotion to charity (Britannica, 2023).

Much of what we know about Elizabeth comes from her canonization hearings, which contain hundreds of witness testimonies describing her charitable works and miraculous intercessions (Wolf, 2010). Primary sources, such as the Libellus de dictis quatuor ancillarum and letters from her confessor Conrad of Marburg, provide historical evidence of her sanctity and daily acts of service (Bihl, 1909).

References

Bihl, M. (1909). St. Elizabeth of Hungary. In The Catholic Encyclopedia (Vol. 5). Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05389a.htm

Britannica. (2023). Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Elizabeth-of-Hungary

Schwandtnerova, M., & Csampai, O. (2013). Origin and life of Elisabeth of Hungary. European Scientific Journal, 9(26), 1782–1771. https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/download/1782/1771

Wolf, K. B. (Ed.). (2010). The life and afterlife of St. Elizabeth of Hungary: Testimony from her canonization hearings. Oxford University Press.

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