Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

<p>Also known as Elizabeth of Thuringia. She was born in 1207 to King Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Andechs-Meran. At age four, she was betrothed to Ludwig of Thuringia and was sent to live in his family's castle. They married when Elizabeth was 14, and by all accounts they enjoyed a happy though brief life together. Elizabeth built hospitals to care for the needy and the sick, but many of the nobles resented the expense. When her husband died of the plague while away on a crusade, Elizabeth was accused of mismanagement and had to leave Wartburg, probably forced out by her brother-in-law who was regent for her son.</p>
<p>Having made provision for her children, Elizabeth entered the Third Order of Saint Francis and spent her days caring for the sick, the aged and the poor. Renowned for her prayer, her works of charity, her spirit of penance and great gentleness, she died at Marburg in 1231 at the age of 24 and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1235. She is a patron saint of the Franciscan Third Order and of Catholic charities.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;. Reprinted with permission.</p>