St Elizabeth of Portugal
Celebrated on July 4th
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St Elizabeth was forced into an arranged marriage with Denis, King of Portugal, when she was only twelve, in 1283. They had two children. Denis was not a good husband or father, but he let Elizabeth get on with her life, and she made the best of her situation. She built hospitals, hostels for travellers, a home for retired prostitutes and an orphanage. She spent her days caring for the sick. When Denis became ill he apologised to her for all his cruelties and she nursed him until his death.
Elizabeth became a Franciscan tertiary after she was widowed, and lived modestly with the Poor Clares at Coimbra often serving the community at table.
She spent her last years seeking peace among the fierce rulers of Iberia. When her son King Alphonso was about to go to war with her son-in-law, the King of Castile, she managed to negotiate peace between them.
She died on this day in 1336. Many miracles were attributed to her. She was canonised in 1625.
One of the miracles attributed to her is the “miracle of the roses”. After the king had discovered she was leaving the palace to take food to the poor he forbade her to do it. He threatened to lock her up and confine her to the palace. She never gave up and every day she was still leaving behind the king’s back. One day in the winter time she was carrying pieces of bread hidden in her dress. The King saw her going out and stopped her asking, “What you are carrying?” She answered, “Roses, my lord.” He didn’t believe because it was winter. He asked her to show him the roses. Obediently she unfolded the dress and there were roses instead of bread.
(from ICN & Salt+Light)
Celebrated on July 4th
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
St Elizabeth was forced into an arranged marriage with Denis, King of Portugal, when she was only twelve, in 1283. They had two children. Denis was not a good husband or father, but he let Elizabeth get on with her life, and she made the best of her situation. She built hospitals, hostels for travellers, a home for retired prostitutes and an orphanage. She spent her days caring for the sick. When Denis became ill he apologised to her for all his cruelties and she nursed him until his death.
Elizabeth became a Franciscan tertiary after she was widowed, and lived modestly with the Poor Clares at Coimbra often serving the community at table.
She spent her last years seeking peace among the fierce rulers of Iberia. When her son King Alphonso was about to go to war with her son-in-law, the King of Castile, she managed to negotiate peace between them.
She died on this day in 1336. Many miracles were attributed to her. She was canonised in 1625.
One of the miracles attributed to her is the “miracle of the roses”. After the king had discovered she was leaving the palace to take food to the poor he forbade her to do it. He threatened to lock her up and confine her to the palace. She never gave up and every day she was still leaving behind the king’s back. One day in the winter time she was carrying pieces of bread hidden in her dress. The King saw her going out and stopped her asking, “What you are carrying?” She answered, “Roses, my lord.” He didn’t believe because it was winter. He asked her to show him the roses. Obediently she unfolded the dress and there were roses instead of bread.
(from ICN & Salt+Light)
