While I was completely unformed when I chose my confirmation saint, and admittedly, just liked the name Elizabeth, God knew what He was doing when He sent St. Elizabeth of Hungary to be my patroness. I had no desire then to become a nurse, but 6 years later, when I decided I was going to apply to nursing school, and was looking up the patron saint of nurses, low and behold, there she was!
She has an inspiring story, as most saints do, and is particularly appealing to young girls, because she was a princess. She was betrothed at a young age and sent to live with her future in-laws to be raised alongside her future husband. He actually died before they were married, so she was married to his younger brother. She grew up a very pious child, as her husband's family was also very religious. They had a happy, holy marriage, and he very much supported her desire to serve the poor. It is said that he often held her hands while she prayed at his bedside. They had 3 children. She gave generously, and spent much of her time serving the poor, and ill. One year, while her husband was off fighting in a war, she built a 28 bed hospital to care for the sick, and fed 900 people daily.
Sadly, when she was only 20, 6 years after she was married, and 3 weeks after her 3rd child was born, she received the news that her husband had been killed in battle. She cried out, "The world with all its joys is now dead to me." While devastated, she remained faithful, and became a 3rd order of St. Francis. She continued to serve the poor, and as her children were sent to be raised by other family members (given some strain in the royal family), she devoted herself completely to the care of the sick. She died at the young age of just 24, and was canonized within 3 years of her death.
The thing that struck me most while reading her biography recently, was her uniformity with God's will, in her daily life, and her desire to be a saint. She was about little mortifications, faithful prayer, and detachment from material goods. This aided her in accepting great tragedies, and the smaller moments that didn't go her way. She also accepted the leadership of her husband and spiritual directors humbly. She had one spiritual director who was said the be so harsh, he would at times inflict physical penance, but he was the biggest propagator of her cause for canonization after her death, and said she had such a desire to grow in holiness. This struck me in particular because when the leaders in our lives are trying to lead us, our job is to ask ourselves, "Is what they're saying true?" Even if we don't like the way it feels, is it going to lead us to greater sanctity? St. Elizabeth of Hungary is one beautiful example of this humble love for Christ and fervor for sanctity.
For full bio, click here: St. Elizabeth of Hungary
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