Today is the feast day St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
Elizabeth was born a princess to Hungarian King Andrew II and Gertrude of Merania. At the age of 6, her mother died and this event drastically changed her life as she sought peace and solace in prayer.
In 1221 she married Ludwig IV of Thuringia and used her nobility and standing to continue to serve the poor. One of their 3 children entered religious life.
Ludwig died when Elizabeth was 20 years old and she vowed to never remarry. She continued to live a simple life devoted to prayer and her work for the poor. She died on Nov. 17, 1231 at the age of 24. She was canonized on May 27, 1235, by Pope Gregory IX.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron of bakers, beggars, brides, and hospitals.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us!
