Patroness of the Franciscan Third Order |
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Ave Maria Meditations
November 17th: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Patroness of the Franciscan Third Order (1207-1231) She was the daughter of the King of Hungary and in 1221 married Ludwig, the Landgrave of Thuringia. With Ludwig she had four children. After her husband’s death in 1227, she became a Franciscan tertiary, devoting herself to caring for the poor, the sick, and the aged. She died in exceptional poverty and was canonized in 1235. Collect:
Litany of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. O Christ, graciously hear us. O God the Father, of heaven: have mercy upon us. Holy Mary: Pray for us. St. Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary: Pray for us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: spare us, O Lord. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: graciously hear us, O Lord. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:have mercy on us. V. Pray for us, O blessed Elizabeth. Alleluia. Let us pray: Merciful Lord, we pray Thee to pour the bright beams of Thy grace into our hearts: that, by the glorious prayers of Thy Saint Elizabeth, we may learn to despise all worldly prosperity, and ever to rejoice in all Heavenly consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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. Related posts |
