Elizabeth of Hungary was an extraordinary saint. She was married to her husband Louis of Thuringa, when she was 14. A few years later Elizabeth received a vision that changed her life. It was the feast of the Assumption, and she walked into church wearing her golden crown and a beautiful gown. She looked at the crucifix, and seemed to see the blood of Jesus flow from his hands and heart into a pool of blood near her feet. She looked at the crown of thorns he wore on his head. She then thought of all her own riches, she removed her golden crown and placed it on the altar and bowed in adoration. She did not know what God wanted from her yet but she was very willing. .
Although her family and friends highly opposed it, Elizabeth believed in sharing her riches with the poor. Her husband always protected her from the people did not believe in what she was doing. Louis believed in Elizabeth but did not share in her devotion. One day while Elizabeth was taking food to the poor in her cloak, her husband demanded to know what she was trying to hide. When he looked, he did not find food but roses.
Elizabeth and Louis had three children when tragedy struck. Louis was killed in the crusades. Suddenly with her protector, gone Elizabeth was threatened by the royal family that she had married into. She fled the castle with her children. She decided to live a life she had heard described by Francis Bernardone, who also had visions of Christ. In his vision, Francis was told to restore the church, which was decaying because people cared more about wealth and power then their souls. Elizabeth had already turned in her crown for a life of penance and prayer during the vision, she had years ago, now she knew God's will for her.
Elizabeth's chosen life of poverty and penance caused a stir and attracted attention. A pope sent her a message to continue doing penance. An emperor offered her his crown and marriage. She turned him down and continued living her holy and devoted life.
