St. Elizabeth of Hungary: Living an Abundant Life in Christ

“God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need you may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Artwork by Margaret Lindsey; photo by Daphne Lindsey.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary entered my life in elementary school during a class visit to the library. I loved reading about the lives of the saints, and the library at the Catholic school I attended had a huge selection. I pulled her book off the shelf, not because I knew who she was but because I liked the cover of the book. It showed a pretty young woman standing outside a castle distributing bread to the poor. Judging this book by its cover ended up introducing me to the woman who helped shape me into who I am today and who continues to encourage me on my journey of faith.

I was in college when Pope Benedict XVI chose to speak about St. Elizabeth during a General Audience. His words during that October Audience in 2010 helped me discover the ways in which St. Elizabeth can be a role model for women in leadership positions who are also seeking an abundant life in Christ.

A Desire for Holiness

Elizabeth’s life was unlike that of most of the saints I had read about as a child. She was a princess, the daughter of a king, and instead of living in poverty or joining a convent, she lived most of her life in a castle surrounded by luxury. As a princess, she also had the responsibilities of royalty, and by the age of four was already engaged to marry a nobleman in Germany (don’t worry; he was only 10 years old at the time).

Despite her wealth and position, her desire for holiness started at a young age. Throughout most of her life, her position of wealth caused her distress, as she desired to live a life of poverty. It is said that one time, upon entering a church on the Feast of the Assumption, she took off her crown; laid it before the Crucifix; and while covering her face, lay prostrate on the ground. Upon being reprimanded for her actions, she famously answered, “How can I, a wretched creature, continue to wear a crown of earthly dignity, when I see my King Jesus Christ crowned with thorns?”

Elizabeth found ways to prioritize her relationship with Christ in her position as a leader. She continually found ways to grow in holiness, and her desire for holiness awakened the same desire in me.

Marriage as a Partnership

Another element of Elizabeth’s story that drew me to her was her marriage. Although her marriage was arranged at such a young age, it became a happy one. Ludwig, her husband, supported her efforts to live out the Gospel virtues, and together, they embraced a life of great generosity. In his Audience, Pope Benedict spoke of their relationship, saying:

“Elizabeth's marriage was profoundly happy: she helped her husband to raise his human qualities to a supernatural level and he, in exchange, stood up for his wife's generosity to the poor and for her religious practices. Increasingly admired for his wife's great faith, Ludwig said to her, referring to her attention to the poor: ‘Dear Elizabeth, it is Christ whom you have cleansed, nourished and cared for.’ A clear witness to how faith and love of God and neighbor strengthen family life and deepen ever more the matrimonial union.”

I loved this example of a holy marriage — a marriage in which each partner called the other to holiness and courageous leadership.

Living an Abundant Life

Elizabeth’s life is a beautiful example of a leader who sought the good of the people “beneath” her — her love for Christ amplified her ability to serve and lead well rather than detracting from it. Time and again, the stories surrounding Elizabeth’s life show that by keeping God first and serving others in all she did, she was able to serve from abundance. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians, “God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need you may have an abundance for every good work.”

Pope Benedict reflected on her leadership, saying, “She behaved to her subjects in the same way that she behaved to God ... She is a true example for all who have roles of leadership: the exercise of authority, at every level, must be lived as a service to justice and charity, in the constant search for the common good.”

Living her life for Christ led Elizabeth to a life of abundance. She gave until she had nothing left, so God gave her more to give. Her love for Christ led her to an understanding of the equality of all people — it led her to see Christ in everyone. It led her to the freedom to love others and serve them without hesitation.

Elizabeth showed that little girl at the library that she could “have it all.” I could have a beautiful marriage and serve God. I could hold positions of authority and be charitable and just. I could be a mother and a leader. I could give everything to God and still receive more than I gave.

Pope Benedict sums up her life beautifully saying:

“In St Elizabeth we see how faith and friendship with Christ create a sense of justice, of the equality of all, of the rights of others and how they create love, charity. And from this charity is born hope too, the certainty that we are loved by Christ and that the love of Christ awaits us thereby rendering us capable of imitating Christ and of seeing Christ in others.

“St Elizabeth invites us to rediscover Christ, to love him and to have faith; and thereby to find true justice and love, as well as the joy that one day we shall be immersed in divine love, in the joy of eternity with God.”

Daphne Lindsey is the social media manager for Catholic Women in Business. She is a digital media marketer and photographer. Daphne graduated with a bachelor’s in visual communications from the University of South Carolina. She’s worked as a photographer for an archeological dig, in marketing and photography for Delaware State Parks, and as the director of the office of digital media for the Archdiocese of Washington. She is navigating life as a military spouse, is definitely a dog-person, and loves running, a solid iced dirty chai, and Agatha Christie novels. Connect with Daphne: LinkedIn \ Instagram