St Elizabeth of Hungary
The daughter of a royal house, Elizabeth’s story is almost fairy tale in its beginnings
. As an infant she was betrothed to Louis of Thuringia. At the age of four she was taken to her new home to prepare for her future court life.
The people of Thuringia ridiculed and tormented the small child for her serious ways and fervent prayer. The prince, Louis, came to here aid showed he loved his future wife with great tenderness and admiration. (Thuringia is the area of Germany close to Weimar, and the infamous Buchenwald concentration camp.)
As was the custom at the time Elizabeth married at the age of fourteen, with Louis ten years her senior. They were extremely happy, by all accounts sharing their love for Christ in frequent prayer and Sacraments. Histories tell that at night when Elizabeth prayed, she would hold the hand of her sleeping husband. Their closeness is evidenced by the fact that she would accompany him as far as she could when he made any journeys - weeping at his departure and rejoicing with him on his return.
Elizabeth and Louis had three children, one later beatified as Blessed Gertrude. Elizabeth became the first Germanic member of the third order of St Francis, and is said to have received a letter in St Francis’ hand, accompanied by the gift of his cloak.
While Louis was away in 1225 his lands were devastated by floods, followed by a famine and a plague. Elizabeth supported 900 poor people daily and even sold state treasures for their relief. She had a hospital built near their castle, where she tended the sick and lepers. Her use of the court’s store of grain has led Elizabeth to be named patron of bakers.
In 1227 Louis agreed to take part in the crusades. As was her custom Elizabeth went some of the way with him at the start of his travels - even though she was expecting a child. Louis died the same year in southern Italy.
Her husband’s relatives now banished her and her children, as they had distrusted her devout and poor way of life. She gave away much of her dowry, safeguarded her childrens’ future and then committed herself to the sick and the poor. Her relations later sought pardon for their treatment of her and she was reconciled to her husband’s home country.
The life of Elizabeth and her husband shows that love for one another within marriage glorifies God, so that far from being a hurdle marriage can be a ladder to the love of Christ.
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