Countess, Tramp or Toothache Sufferer? — St. Elizabeth of Hungary Pray for Us

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:51 pm by Lisa M. Hendey

Countess, Tramp or Toothache Sufferer? — St. Elizabeth of Hungary Pray for Us 2015-03-12T16:51:46-07:00 Lisa M. Hendey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Today is one of my least favorite kinds of days. It’s a wake up early and do housework day, with just a touch of blogging thrown in here for good measure. We’re welcoming a special guest this weekend, so my gravely-neglected home needs a lot of TLC.

I’ll admit it. I’m a domestic failure.

My poor husband will eat a combo of microwave popcorn and frozen veggies for dinner and my son is an expert at ironing, mainly out of self defense.

So a day like today filled with mopping, and dusting, and even baking is an “offer it up” kind of day for me.

Happily, today’s memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary falls just at the right time for me. This daughter of a King went from riches to rags and never shirked from helping others, as we read in this short biography:

Princess, the daughter of King Andrew of Hungary. Great-aunt of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal. She married Prince Louis of Thuringa at age 13. Built a hospital at the foot of the mountain on which her castle stood; tended to the sick herself. Her family and courtiers opposed this, but she insisted she could only follow Christ’s teachings, not theirs. Once when she was taking food to the poor and sick, Prince Louis stopped her and looked under her mantle to see what she was carrying; the food had been miraculously changed to roses. Upon the death of Louis, Elizabeth sold all that she had, and worked to support her four children. Her gifts of bread to the poor, and of a large gift of grain to a famine stricken Germany, led to her patronage of bakers and related fields.

I love reading about the various patronages of our saints, so it was a real thrill to learn that St. Elizabeth is a “go-to intercessor” for “people ridiculed for their piety”. I think I will invoke her lovingly next time I have a run-in with a Facebook friend or combox demon. Not that I’m calling myself “pious” by any means — as in my domesticity, I have much to improve upon in that regard as well. But in learning about St. Elizabeth’s life, I’m certain that she had more than her fair share of “offer it up” moments as well. So she’s good company for a dreary day filled with dust-bunnies…

If you find yourself with a toothache today, be sure to offer a prayer to St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

As you pass a panhandler, pray for him and for all those who suffer from lack of shelter through her intercession.

And if you’re a countess, you can give her a shout out as well!

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us!

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Previous Post

November 16, 2012

Gracious Communication in the Internet Age: What Works?

Next Post

November 18, 2012 Of Fig Trees & Flat Tires - Am I Ready?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category @Pontifex Books Catholic Geek Stuff Catholic Moments Family Life Good Measures Liturgical Calendar New Evangelization News Reviews Rwanda Saints Speaking Tanzania Journal Top Catholic Tweets Travel Uncategorized Vocations Yes

Select a Month August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would conceive and bear a son called Jesus.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE