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18K Gold Fine Jewelry

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Memorial November 17Religious

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

A young princess who gave her wealth to the hungry and built a hospital with her own hands.

Simone Martini, Saint Clare and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, c. 1317 · Lower Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi (public domain)

Who was Saint Elizabeth of Hungary?

Elizabeth (1207–1231), daughter of the King of Hungary, married Louis of Thuringia at 14. She fed the hungry daily and cared for the sick. Widowed when Louis died on crusade, she joined the Secular Franciscans in 1228, founded a hospital in Marburg and served the sick until her death at 24.

Feast day and traditions

The best-known story says that when she was carrying bread to the poor under her cloak, the bread turned into roses, which is why she is so often shown with roses. Catholic Charities and many hospitals look to her as their patron.

Prayer

St. Elizabeth, you served Christ in the hungry and the sick. Make my heart generous like yours. Amen.

Novena

To pray a novena that ends on the eve of the feast, begin on November 8 and finish on November 16.

Mass readings

Read the Mass readings for November 17 from the US bishops (USCCB).

Open readings →

Celebrate as a family

Bake bread or rolls and share some with a neighbor; decorate the table with roses.

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