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Saint Elizabeth Of Hungard

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
St. Elizabeth was born in Hungary in 1207, the daughter of Alexander II, King of Hungary. At the age of 14 Elizabeth married the the 21-year-old Louis of Thuringia (Germany), whom she deeply loved.
Her husband was himself much inclined to religion and highly esteemed her virtue, encouraging her in her exemplary life her of charity. While he was away for missions under Frederick II, Elizabeth took charge of local affairs and distributed alms in all parts of her husband's territory. She had a small hospital built below the Wartburg castle, with twenty-eight beds. Her personal touch was evident there: she visited the patients daily to attend to their needs; at the same time she aided hundreds of poor people daily through giving food and other supplies.
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, and became associated with the Franciscans.   The ideals of St. Francis appealed to her: chastity, humility, patience, prayer, and charity. Because of her royal position, the vow of poverty that Franciscans took was not easy to pursue and her retention of funds made the charitable work she pursued more fruitful; over time she distributed everything she had. She built the Franciscan hospital at Marburg and devoted herself to the care of the sick until her death at the age of 24 in 1231.   Her great popularity resulted in her canonization four years later. St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, widows, and young brides. Her symbols are alms, flowers, bread, the poor, and a pitcher.