Born at the beginning of the 13th century in what is now Slovakia, she was the daughter of King Andrew II and Queen Gertrude. At the age of fourteen, Elizabeth was married to Louis of Thuringia, a family that ruled central Germany. 

Though the marriage had been arranged since she was the age of four, she and Louis had a great love for one another. 

Elizabeth bore three children and developed a deep love for the Lord. She also had a great devotion to St. Francis of Assisi and used her influence to give extensively to the poor. Her husband, Louis, supported her completely in her charity. 

She built a hospital with 28 beds and often would visit with those in prison. In 1227, Louis answered a call to go and serve in the Sixth Crusade but died along the way. 

After Louis’ death, his family accused Elizabeth of squandering the Royal purse on the poor and threw her out of the palace. However, when Louis’ forces returned from the Crusades they reinstated her. 

In 1228 she joined the secular order of the Franciscans and went to work in the hospital she’d founded, but soon her own health began to decline and, at the age of just 24, beloved by all of her subjects, she died on this day in 1231. 

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, please pray for us.