Today the Church remembers and celebrates the life and ministry of Elizabeth of Hungary who was born on 7 July 1207 and died on 17 November 1231. She was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Merania.
Elizabeth was brought to the court of the rulers of Thuringia in central Germany, to become betrothed to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia. She married him in 1221 at the age of 14. After her marriage, Elizabeth continued her charitable practices, which included spinning wool for the clothing of the poor. In 1223, Franciscan friars arrived, and the teenage Elizabeth not only learned about the ideals of Francis of Assisi, but started to live them.[
James Kiefer tells us that: “During a famine and epidemic in 1226, while her husband was away in Italy, she sold her jewels and established a hospital where she nursed the sick, and opened the royal granaries to feed the hungry. After her husband's death in 1227, her inlaws, who opposed her "extravagances," expelled her from Wartburg. Finally an arrangement was negotiated with them that gave her a stipend. She became a Franciscan tertiary (lay associate) and devoted the remainder of her life to nursing and charity. She sewed garments to clothe the poor, and went fishing to feed them.”
Let us pray: Almighty God, by your grace your servant Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and honored Jesus in the poor of this world: Grant that we, following her example, may with love and gladness serve those in any need or trouble, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Our Church Thanksgiving Lunch will be Sunday, 23 November 2014 following the 9 AM Eucharist.
Starting Monday, 5 January 2015, we will begin our new ESL class. Please spread the word.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially Patricia Florence’s family.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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