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St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the patroness of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - Eureka Springs, Arkansas. St. Elizabeth was born in Hungary in 1207. She was the daughter of Alexander II, King of Hungary. At four she was sent for education to the court of the Landgrave of Thuringia, to whose infant son she was betrothed. 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 also very religious and proud of her virtue, encouraging her in her exemplary life. (We celebrate the feast of Blessed Louis on September 11.) They had three children when tragedy struck - Louis died of the plague. Elizabeth was so heart-broken that she cried- "The world is dead to me and all that is joyous in the world." After Louis' death, Elizabeth was sent from the court by his family. Her own relatives came to her rescue and, though her uncle wanted her to marry again for she was still very young and attractive, the saint was determined to give herself to God. In 1228, Elizabeth made arrangements for the care of her children, and 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. On her death bed, Elizabeth was heard to sing softly. She had great confidence that Jesus would take her to himself. 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.
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