The Life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary: A Model of Charity and Sacrifice
- Samantha Ham
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Introduction: Personal Connection
From the moment I was welcomed into my husband's Hungarian family through marriage, I've taken an
interest in St. Elizabeth of Hungary, if not initially for her place of origin, but now as a model of deep inspiration in my life. Her story is one of radical love and selfless service that transcends time and culture, and speaks powerfully to my heart today. If you haven't taken a deep dive into the life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, I am so excited for you to learn more, be inspired, and grow in your faith as a result of her incredible example of charity, faith, and poverty.
Born to Rule, Chosen to Serve: The Faith and Fortitude of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Many stories depict the life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, but all of them center around her deep identification and care for the poor. St. Elizabeth was born into what many would consider greatness, a princess, the daughter of a King. As a woman of royal ancestry, the expectations for her life were laid out before her at a young age, at which she was betrothed. She went to live in a bustling court where parties and extravagance were the norm at the age of four. St. Elizabeth was different from many of her peers from a very young age; she was quiet, pious, and under the mentorship of her faithful mother-in-law and caregiver, she became prayerful. The child that she had been betrothed to died in early childhood, and the young man she eventually married at the age of fourteen was also of a prayerful nature. We see accounts of a happy and prayerful marriage that sustained the two of them.
St. Elizabeth’s peaceful life of piety takes a bit of a turn after the birth of her first child, as her husband, Ludwig, is away traveling on business frequently. Though it was not in her nature to lead the people, as she was more reserved, she stepped up to the plate and led them through multiple catastrophes with special attention to the poor. For example, during a great famine, she opened up the royal storehouses to feed those who were hungry. Sadly, soon after the birth of their third child, Ludwig falls ill and dies. St. Elizabeth despairs at the death of her husband, but eventually is heartened that she will reunite with him in heaven, and she returns to the affairs of the kingdom. Political intrigue strikes the royal household, and St. Elizabeth’s brother-in-law usurps the throne with the argument that her young son cannot be mentored by her as she is not fit to rule. See, Elizabeth was no ordinary ruler; she sold her royal garments to provide more sustenance to the poor, she aided the sick with her own hands, and she was indeed not sitting on a royal throne declaring decrees.
St. Elizabeth weathers many trials after her brother-in-law’s usurpation and is thrown out of court, separated from her children, and eventually becomes a third-order Franciscan. Elizabeth could be nothing but herself and refused to change her ways to pacify her family and the other nobles. Her hands, heart, and whole life were oriented towards the poor because she saw Christ in their eyes. St. Elizabeth’s life reveals to us what a deep and all-consuming faith truly looks like: a love so complete that it perseveres even through the darkest valleys, a devotion so unwavering that nothing, not ridicule, loss, or even the separation from her own children, could turn her away from her path; serving the Lord.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary’s Miracles: How Service to the Poor Revealed the Face of Christ
There are a few important stories associated with St. Elizabeth of Hungary but I will focus on two here in this article. The first centers around a moment when she was caught carrying bread to the poor in her apron. When confronted, she opened her apron, and the bread had miraculously transformed into roses, covering up her supposed transgression. This beautiful moment, known as the "Miracle of the Roses," speaks to something profound: when we act in love and service to others, God transforms our gifts into something even more beautiful than we could imagine.
The other famous story attributed to St. Elizabeth occurred after she laid a leper in the bed that she shared with her husband, Ludwig. Although a faithful man, her husband was furious and indignant, throwing the bed sheets off the frame when, to his amazement, the crucified Christ lay before him instead of the leper. Elizabeth knew that in serving the poorest and most rejected, she was serving Christ Himself. The story of witnessing God’s love and presence to her husband illustrates the truth of Matthew 25:40: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Elizabeth didn't just believe these words, she lived them so completely that even those closest to her were confronted with the living presence of Christ in the suffering she embraced.
When I reflect on St. Elizabeth's life, I can't help but ask myself: What type of influence will I leave on the world? Will I be remembered for what I accumulated or for what I gave away? For the comfort I sought or for the love I shared? St. Elizabeth's example challenges me to examine my own priorities and to consider whether my life truly reflects the values of the Gospel in my everyday actions.
Saying “Yes” Like St. Elizabeth of Hungary: Following God’s Call Through Charity and Courage
St. Elizabeth of Hungary died in her early 20s, yet her legacy has echoed through the centuries. Her feast day, November 17th, reminds us annually of what's possible when we surrender our lives completely to God's will. What strikes me most about Elizabeth is that her actions flowed directly from her deep faith in the Lord. She was remarkably consistent, wholly focused on her mission of serving Christ in the poor. St. Elizabeth simply said yes to those in need, over and over again, in ways both big and small.
Her radical charity wasn't eccentric or impulsive—it was the living embodiment of what the Church has always taught. The Catechism (CCC 2447) teaches that "giving alms to the poor is a chief witness to fraternal charity and a work of justice," rooted in Jesus' own compassion for the poor, whom He identified with "the least of these." Elizabeth understood this profoundly. She saw that caring for the suffering wasn't optional for a Christian; it was central to the Gospel itself.
So what can we learn from her example? We must ask ourselves the same questions Elizabeth asked: Where is God calling me to serve? Who needs my love today? What am I holding onto that God is asking me to release?
St. Elizabeth's life wasn't easy. It was marked by loss, misunderstanding, and sacrifice. As I continue to learn more about this remarkable saint, I find myself not just admiring her from a distance, but asking her to intercede for me. To pray that I might have even a fraction of her courage, her compassion, her willingness to be countercultural for the sake of the Gospel.
Prayer to St. Elizabeth of Hungary
St. Elizabeth, you who gave everything for love of Christ and His poor, intercede for us. Help us to see beyond our comfort and convenience to the needs of those around us. Give us generous hearts, willing hands, and the courage to serve even when it's difficult or misunderstood. May our lives, like yours, be a testimony to the transforming power of God's love. Amen.
If St. Elizabeth's story has moved you, we invite you to listen to our podcast episode dedicated to her witness. 🎧 [Listen to the episode here]