Despite being arranged by their families, Elizabeth and Louis' marriage was happy. The young couple had several children, including a daughter Gertrude who later became an abbess.
Elizabeth took her faith seriously. She supported the followers of Francis of Assisi, who had recently settled in Germany, and helped them establish a monastery. While her position kept form living a Franciscan life-style of poverty, she used her wealth to endow charitable works.
In 1227, 20-year-old Elizabeth became a widow when Louis died en route to the Crusades. Her uncle seized the throne and drove Elizabeth and her children out of the palace. They found refuge in a nearby Franciscan monastery, and Elizabeth was forced to beg for food for her family.
Despite the hardship, she still thanked God for the opportunity to experience poverty.
Eventually, the uncle was driven from power and the dukedom returned to Elizabeth's young son. Soon, after making arrangements for her children, Elizabeth joined the Franciscans, where she spent the rest of her life caring for the sick. She died at age 24.
Because of her generosity to the poor, St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of homeless people, dying children, and widows. Her feast day is November 17.
Elizabeth was the niece of St. Hedwig (whose feast is October 16) and the great-aunt of St. Elizabeth of Portugal.
- Little Burgundy Book, Diocese of Saginaw