“I want to adorn myself, not out of worldly pride, but for love of God alone… Only let him love me in the Lord, with a chaste, marital affection, so that we, in the same way, might hope for the reward of eternal life from him who has sanctified the law of marriage.”
— St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207–1231)

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Today, November 17, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. As the child of Hungarian immigrants, I grew up hearing stories of saints and heroes from Hungary’s rich history—none more meaningful to me than Elizabeth.

Born to King Andrew II of Hungary, Elizabeth was betrothed at a young age to Ludwig IV of Thuringia and sent to Germany at age four. Her early years were marked by sorrow, especially after the murder of her mother, Gertrude, when Elizabeth was just six. In these hardships, she turned to prayer for consolation and strength.

Elizabeth married Ludwig in 1221 at age fourteen, and together they had three children. Ludwig supported her profound devotion to the Gospel and her desire to serve the poor. Their marriage was marked by faith, generosity, and mutual encouragement.

When Ludwig died during the Crusades in 1227, Elizabeth—still only 20—kept a vow they had made together and never remarried. Instead, she committed her life entirely to works of mercy. She used her resources to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and even transformed her small castle into a hospital.

Elizabeth later joined the Third Order of St. Francis, embracing a life of humility and service. She died at just 24 years old in 1231. Miracles at her burial site and the many legends about her life, including the famous miracle of the roses, led to her canonization only four years later.

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Pope Benedict XVI beautifully summarized her witness:

“In St. Elizabeth of Hungary, we see how faith and friendship with Christ create a sense of justice… and how they create love, charity. And from this charity is born hope—the certainty that we are loved by Christ and that the love of Christ awaits us.”

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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. Amen.

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References:

• My Catholic Life – St. Elizabeth of Hungary
• Catholic News Agency – St. Elizabeth of Hungary
• CatholicCulture.org – November 17
• “Miracle of the Roses” – Symbolism of the Rose in Catholicism