General presentation of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, born in 1207, was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary. She is known for her devotion to the poor and her life of charity. Betrothed at the age of 4 and married at 14 to Louis IV of Thuringia, she lived a happy and pious marriage while dedicating herself to charitable works. After the premature death of her husband during the crusade in 1227, Elizabeth was driven out of the castle by her in-laws. She continued to serve the poorest, joining the Third Franciscan Order and founding a hospital in Marburg, where she personally cared for the sick. She died at the age of 24 in 1231 and was canonized four years later. Saint Elizabeth is the patron saint of nurses and charitable works, and she is celebrated on November 17.
Correspondence table of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
| Role | Queen, lay Franciscan sister |
| Patronage | Charity, hospitals, widows, Sisters of Charity |
| Feast | November 17 |
Symbols and appearances of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Saint Elizabeth is often depicted with a basket of bread or roses, linked to the famous miracle where the bread she was carrying for the poor turned into roses when her husband discovered it. She is also sometimes shown in simple clothing, recalling her renunciation of a life of luxury and her service to the needy.
Myths of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
One of the most famous stories of her life is the miracle of the roses. While she was carrying bread for the poor, her husband asked her what she was hiding under her cloak. When he opened it, the bread had turned into roses, a sign of divine kindness towards her charity. Saint Elizabeth is also known for having cared for lepers, even welcoming them into her own bed, despite criticism from those around her.
