Born in 1207, Elizabeth of Hungary was a princess who developed an early concern for the poor. Today Elizabeth is remembered for her charitable works, with dozens of hospitals throughout the world bearing her name. She is also associated with more than 150 miracles, most of which involve healing children.
Perhaps the most famous is the Miracle of the Roses. Elizabeth had established a hospice for the poor in a converted building at the foot of the castle hill. She smuggled bread out of the castle kitchen to feed the needy, which was forbidden. Often, she’d encounter courtiers or her (royal) in-laws while carrying bread down the hill to the hospice. In those instances, she would quickly hide the food inside her robes. Once – when compelled to open her robe for inspection – legend has it that the bread turned to roses.
“In every beggar and ailing person, she saw Jesus himself,” said Susan Vallem, a clinical social worker based in Waverly, Iowa, who has studied Elizabeth. “People weren’t being cared for and she thought that was scandalous,” Vallem said. “So, she helped them. She did it herself.”
This message is excerpted from “Remembering Elizabeth of Hungary” by Karris Golden in the November 2016 Gather magazine. Today is the 26th Sunday after Pentecost. Today we commemorate Elizabeth of Hungary, renewer of society, 1231.
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