November 17 : Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

Saint Elizabeth, called by her people “the dear Saint Elizabeth,” was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and the beloved spouse of the landgrave Louis of Thuringia. She was the good angel of the landgrave’s court; but her heroic virtues were often a reproach to others less holy, and she was tried by many persecutions. When about twenty years of age Elizabeth was deprived of the protection of her devoted husband. He started with his liege lord, Frederick II, to join the Third Crusade, but died of fever before he reached Palestine. His brother cruelly turned Elizabeth out of doors with her four children, the youngest being a babe at the breast. The holy young widow rejoiced to suffer these pains with her despised Lord. She was ultimately restored to her rights, but led a life of wonderful penance and humility to the end, enrolled in the Third Order of Saint Francis. In her last agony she sang like an angel, and died November 19, 1231, having just completed her twenty-fourth year. Many miracles are recorded in her life.