TODAYS SAINT (Elizabeth of Hungary)

ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY

Religious

St. Elizabeth was born in Hungary in 1207, the daughter of Alexander II, King of Hungary. At the age of four she was sent for her education to the court of the Landgrave of Thuringia, to whose infant son she was betrothed. As she grew in age, her piety also increased by leaps and bounds. In 1221, she married Louis of Thuringia and in spite of her position at court began to lead and austerely simple life, practiced penance, and devoted herself to works of charity.

Her husband was himself much inclined to religion and highly esteemed her virtue, encouraging her in her esemplary life. They had three children when tragedy struck--Louis was killed while fighting with the Crusaders. After his death, Elizabeth left the court, made arrangements for the care of her children, and in 1228 renounced the world, becoming a tertiary of St. Francis. She built the Franciscan hosppital at Margurg and devoted herself to the care of the sick until her death at the age of twenty-four in 1231.

PRAYER

God, You taught St. Elizabeth to recognize and serve Christ in

the poor. Grant, through hefr intercession, that we may always

lovingly serve the needy and the oppressed. Amen.