St. Elizabeth was the daughter of King Peter III and Constance of Aragon, Spain. Named after her great – aunt St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Elizabeth was brought up in a spirit of strict piety and self – denial. She was generally known under the Spanish form of her name Isabel, since she was born in Spain. At the age of 12, she was married to King Denis of Portugal. Through fasting, prayer, penance and extraordinary kindness and forbearance queen Isabel tried continually, to win the affections of her jealous and immoral husband. At the 40th year of their marriage, her unfailing prayers won the king to repentance and a complete reform of his life. Twelve years later, King Denis died and the Queen – widow entered the convent of Poor Clares, where she became a Franciscan Tertiary and devoted herself to the care of the poor and the sick.
Throughout her life, St. Isabel was outstanding in almsgiving and charity. She visited the sick, not merely to give them alms and womanly sympathy, but even to dress their wounds. It is said that every day in her own palace she fed and waited on thirteen lepers. Once victorious over her own feelings, she kissed a loathsome sore on the limb of a poor woman. It was a miracle of charity which was followed by a miracle of divine power. Yes, the poor leper woman was completely healed. She was moved with pity and compassion for the sick and the poor. That is why we have her as the patroness of our Institution.
Once she was carrying bread loaves in her mantle, for the poor, hiding them from her husband who did not approve of her charity. However, King Denis heard about it and demanded that she should show him, what she had in her mantle. Without saying anything, St.Isabel opened her mantle and her husband was astonished to see, her mantle was filled with roses, at that severe winter.
St. Isabel used to say, “Let us commit our ways to Providence; let us trust in God alone. He will know how to show our innocence”.
Above all, St. Isabel was known as “peace maker”. In 1323, when her son Alphonso rebelled and took up arms against his own father, because he was outraged by the favours being bestowed on his illegitimate brothers, it was Queen Isabel, who rode out between the two armies drawn up for battle, and succeeded in bringing about a reconciliation. 13 years later, she had a similar opportunity; she left the convent, to travel to Spain where the same son, now Alfonso IV, was at war with his Son – in – law, for having neglected and maltreated his daughter Maria. Again St. Isabel succeeded in stopping the fight and bringing about a peaceful settlement.
When she was sick on dying bed, she made her last confession and when the Body of her Lord was brought to her, she rose from the bed and for the last time she bowed down to the ground in adoration of Jesus Christ, who had bowed down to earth for love of her. Later on, in the day she told her daughter – in – law, queen Beatrice to bring a chair for the Lady. Queen Beatrice could see no one around but St. Isabel said, “She who is drawing near smiling and in garments of white.” Saying this the dying saint Isabel raised herself as if in welcome. Her smiling lips were heard to utter:
“Mary, Mother of grace,
Mother of Mercy
From the foe shield us
In the hour of death take us.”
These were her last words, on the 4th of July 1336.
Although physically, St. Isabel died long ago, spiritually, she is very much present to all who have recourse to her. Through many youth have found their marriage partner, many childless couples have received the gift of children. Many diseases are cured and numberless lives are saved. We personally experience her constant protection over us.
During this Eucharist, we thank God for giving us such a wonderful patroness and ask her intercession that we too may take care of the sick with tenderness and compassion.
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