Feastday: November 17
Patroness of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, homeless, nursing
services, tertiaries, widows, and young brides
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 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 an 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 exemplary 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 hospital at Marburg and devoted herself to the care of the sick until
her death at the age of 24 in 1231.
St. Elizabeth is the
patron saint of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, the homeless,
nursing services, tertiaries, widows, and young brides. Her symbols are alms, flowers,
bread, the poor, and a pitcher.
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