St. Elizabeth of Hungary was born July 7, 1207. At an early age, the princess of the Kingdom of Hungary displayed a great love for the poor.
Her devotion to the needy was so passionate that she willingly exchanged a life of royalty for a life of service to the destitute. At the age of 14, she married Ludwig IV of Thuringia and bore three children. With her husband’s support, Elizabeth led a simple life of prayer and used her position to serve the poor. She was responsible for building a hospital and personally helped care for the sick. Elizabeth sent clothing to the needy, and every day gave bread to those in need. “Everything I own really belongs to the poor,” she once said. After only six years of marriage, Ludwig died of a fever while en route to join the Sixth Crusade.
Despite her deep anguish, Elizabeth continued her charitable practices to the poor. In 1228, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis and spent the remaining years of her life helping the needy and sick. She used her money to build hospitals and care for the poor.
Elizabeth of Hungary died on November 17, 1231, at the age of 24. Soon, miraculous healings occurred near her gravesite and hospital. These miracles and eyewitness accounts led to her canonization just four years after her death. Her feast day is November 17th. Because of her great love and affection for the poor, St. Elizabeth is recognized as the patroness of Catholic charitable causes.
