A Saint | St. Elizabeth of Hungary

St. Elizabeth, a Hungarian princess, and a great saint, was born on July 7th, 1207, and passed away on 17th, November, 1231. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14 and widowed at the age of 20. After her husband's death she sent her children away and regained her money, she used that money to build a hospital where she herself served the sick. She became a symbol of Christian charity after her death at the age of 24

Miracle of the roses

St. Elizabeth is often recognized by her “miracle of the roses.” In this story, it is said that, one day, she hid loaves of bread in her cloak for the poor people who lived nearby. As she was walking, she met a man named “Ludwig” from a hunting party who suspected that St. Elizabeth had stolen treasure from the castle. Ludwig started to ask St. Elizabeth questions, then he asked her to reveal what was hidden inside of her cloak. Suddenly, her cloak fell open and you could see a vision of white and red roses. This determined that God’s protecting hand was at work. In other versions of this story, it is said that St. Elizabeth’s brother-in-law questions her.

What she did in her lifetime

Teenage Elizabeth not only learned about the ideals of Francis of Assisi but started to live them. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic Preacher. St. Elizabeth was a patron of hospitals, nurses, bakers, brides, countesses, dying children, exiles, homeless people, lace-makers, and widows. St. Elizabeth helped the poor. She brought them food, water, and she even cured the sick people by making a hospital and serving them.

Prayer

“O God, by whose gift Saint Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and revered Christ in the poor, grant, through her intercession, that we may serve with unfailing charity the needy and those afflicted. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”

Patronage

St. Elizabeth of Hungary was a patron of bakers, beggars', brides, Catholic charities, charitable societies, charitable workers, charities countesses, death of children, falsely accused people, homeless people, hospitals, in-law problems, lace makers, lace workers, nursing homes, and nursing services.

Symbol

St. Elizabeth is recognized by her rose symbol. In her “Miracle of the roses,” when her cloak fell open, you could see a vision of roses. From then, it became a symbol. Other important symbols of her are, a basket of bread and flask of wine.

Reflection questions

Why do you think this person is a saint? :

I think this person is a saint because she helped so many people. She risked her life for them. She had sympathy for these sick and poor souls, and she wanted them to be happy. She brought them food, water, and she even served the sick people in hospitals. She deserves to be recognized by many others as she played a fantastic role in others' lives.

What qualities do you admire about her? :

I love that she is sympathetic, empathetic, respectful, kind, helpful, and caring. She has helped so many people, and she nearly risked her life for them. She carries so much sympathy in herself that it inspires me to be more like her.

Why did you choose her? :

I chose her because when I researched about her, I learned that she was an amazing saint and the more I learned about her, the more I got inspired to be like her. It amazed me that she played a huge role in others’ lives. I hope to be like her one day.