Objective: By the end of this lesson, family members will be able to explain how St. Elizabeth of Hungary showed love for God by caring for people who were poor or sick; identify Scripture passages that connect to her virtues; work together on a practical act of kindness; choose one way to serve others as a family during the coming week.

Opening Prayer: Choose one family member to be the prayer leader. Begin the prayer with the Sign of the Cross. 

Leader: Loving Father, thank You for giving us the example of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

Help us to see Jesus in the people around us, especially those who are lonely, hungry, sick, or in need of kindness.

Teach our family to share what we have, serve with joyful hearts, and love without expecting anything in return.

All: Amen. End with the Sign of the Cross.

Parent or Leader: Ask: What is one kind thing someone has done for you that made you feel loved? (Allow each person in the family to respond.) Ask: Who are people that you know that are kind? (Allow each family member to answer.) Ask: What is one kind thing you have done in the last week? (Allow each family member to answer.)

Leader: The Church is filled with people who have done kind things for others. We call them Saints. Last month we learned about St. Francis of Assisi who was kind to God’s creation. This month, we will learn about another Saint who did kind things for poor and sick people. 

Catechesis: Who was St. Elizabeth of Hungary? St. Elizabeth of Hungary was born in 1207 in Hungary. She lived during the Middle Ages.  At the age of four, she was engaged to marry the Prince of Thuringia and went to live with his family. When she was fourteen years old she married the prince and they became the next rulers of Thuringia. Although their marriage was arranged by their parents, Prince Ludwig (Louis) and Elizabeth loved each other deeply and went on to have three children. Together they would hold hands at night when they prayed and they took care of the poor together.

Elizabeth knew it was her mission to take care of the sick and poor because when she did she knew she was taking care of Jesus. She would go daily to the hospital at the foot of the mountain and take care of the sick, she would give bread to the hungry, and she would give her fine clothes and jewels to the poor. Her husband, Ludwig (Louis), supported her in all that she did.

One day, Elizabeth brought home, to her castle, a person who was dying of leprosy. She laid the leper in her bed to give him peace and comfort in his final hours of life. When Ludwig found out what she had done, he decided that she had taken care for the sick too far. He went to their bed and pulled back the sheets; God had given him the grace to see that it wasn’t a leper but Jesus himself lying in the bed. Ludwig realized that serving the leper was really serving Jesus Christ.

Ludwig (Louis) went off to war and died from the plague. Elizabeth was filled with great sadness, and all joy had left her. She turned to God in her grief and God gave her strength. She dedicated herself to God as a Franciscan tertiary.

Elizabeth spent the rest of her days in prayer and sacrifice. She offered all her sorrows to God and served the poor and the sick until she died a holy death in 1231.

Although she was a princess and had access to wealth, she devoted much of her life to prayer and caring for people who were poor, hungry, or sick. She supported charitable work and helped establish care for those in need. Her example reminds Catholics that holiness is not about how much we own, but how faithfully we love God and our neighbors.

A well-known tradition associated with Elizabeth is the Miracle of the Roses. In the story, bread she was carrying to help the poor was discovered to have become roses. This story is a traditional part of her life story and reminds us of her generosity and love.

(Some material taken from The Day by Day coloring Book of Saints by Anna Maria Mendell with illustrations by Mary MacArthur, Sophia Institute Press, 2020)

Read: Matthew 25:35–40. After reading discuss as a family the following questions:

• What does this Scripture passage teach us?
• How did St. Elizabeth live out this Scripture passage?
• What is one way your family could live out this Scripture passage?
  

Watch:

Grades: 1-4

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary: The Princess Who Loved the Poor (Catechism for Kids.



After watching discuss the video:

• What did Elizabeth share with people who needed help?
• What is one word you would describe St. Elizabeth of Hungary?

Watch

Grades 5–8

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Story for Kids: The Miracle of the Roses

After watching the video discuss:

• Why might it have been difficult for a princess to give away her possessions?
• Why do you think the bread turned into roses?

Family Discussion and Action plan: Name and discuss 3 virtues that St. Elizabeth of Hungary possessed. Choose one that your family can put into practice the upcoming week. Discuss: How can our family respond to poverty, loneliness, or unfairness in school or the community in the upcoming week?

Family Activity: Choose one of the ideas below that fit your family's ages and circumstances to carry out this week:

• Make a card for someone who is lonely.
• Help prepare a meal for someone who needs support.
• Donate gently used items in good condition.
• Help a younger sibling with a task.
• Include someone who feels left out.
• Thank someone who helps our family.

*Remember that acts of kindness do not have to be large or expensive. A small, thoughtful act can communicate God's love. St. Elizabeth reminds us that holiness is lived through everyday choices. When we share generously, care for people in need, and put love into action, we follow the example of Jesus.

Closing Prayer: Choose a member of your family to be the prayer leader. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Leader: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, you showed your love for Jesus by caring for people who were poor, sick, and forgotten.

Pray for our family, that we may grow in generosity, compassion, humility, and faith.

Help us recognize Jesus in every person we meet.

May we use our gifts to bring hope to others and share God's love through our actions.

All:       Amen.