Princess Elizabeth was the daughter of the King of Hungary. When she was only 4 years old she was engaged to Louis, the Prince of Thuringia.
This proposed marriage was the result of political considerations and was intended to form a powerful state. She was brought to the castle of her future husband, and the two children grew up together, becoming firm friends even before their marriage. She was married at 14, and in time she had a son and two daughters. St. Elizabeth's Saint’s Day is commemorated on November 17th. |
Legends and Lepers
Many legends surround her, and all tell of her love for God and generosity to the poor and sick. She built a hospital at the foot of the mountain on which her castle stood; and tended to the sick herself. Her family opposed this, but she insisted she could only follow Christ's teachings. One legend tells how she used the royal bed to nurse a leper!
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Bread
Another legend tells how she frequently took bread from the castle kitchens, and smuggled it out under her cloak to give to the poor who lived around the castle. One day whilst taking bread she was confronted by her husband, who asked, “What are you hiding under the cloak!” She opened her cloak to reveal a basket of roses! The food had been miraculously changed! Her gifts of bread to the poor, and of a large gift of grain to a famine- stricken Germany, led to her patronage of bakers and beggars.
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Nun Her gifts of bread to the poor, and of a large gift of grain to a famine- stricken Germany, led to her patronage of bakers and beggars. St. Elizabeth is also the Patron saint of Nursing Homes. After her husband was killed in the Crusades, she sold her possessions and rich clothes for the sake of the poor and left the Royal Court. She made arrangements for the care of her three children and became a Franciscan Nun. She is also the Patron Saint of bakers.
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