7/4 feast of St Elizabeth of Portugal: patron of Peace

I, Elizabeth (1271-1336)

daughter of the most illustrious Don Pedro, by the grace of God,

king of Aragon;

hereby bestow my body as the legitimate wife of Don Denis,

king of Portugal,

in his absence as if he were present…

~1282 proxy consent, signed by Elizabeth, age 11

Introduction. In Spain, St Elizabeth is called Rainha Santa Isabel. She was the daughter of Aragon's King Peter III and Sicily's Queen Constance. Later, Elizabeth’s 2 older brothers became kings of Aragon: Alfonso III and James II. Her namesake was her great-aunt, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. She is pictured as royalty, with a dove and an olive branch. The little Spanish princess given in marriage to Portugal's King Denis by proxy. She was beautiful, devout and participated in daily Holy Mass. In 1288, she left for Portugal to formalize their marriage. For her dowry, she received towns and villages. While her husband was fond of her at first, he grew bored, resulting in illegitimate sons. This caused great suffering to his family. Though a poet, good leader and just ruler: he did not seek God or practice self-discipline. Through Elizabeth's spiritual formation, she found peace through prayer in the chapel. Quietly, Elizabeth practiced decorum. She crawled headfirst into God's arms for love and comfort, for every need. How did she become so great? What can we learn from her example?

Background. As a teen queen, she structured her life around God and neighbor. Using piety and charity, she was kind to pilgrims, strangers, the sick, and the poor. Simultaneously, she was devoted to her husband, despite infidelity and scandals. As a result, her docility was noticed by influencers. She brought balance to the royal couple's reputation. Together, they created 2 souls: Constance and Alfonso III. The royal family also included the king’s other children, of different mothers. Despite the complicated family dynamics, Elizabeth saw her stepchildren as innocent souls and loved them as her own. 

Where sin abounds, Grace abounds more (Romans 5:20). The King was told of impurity between Elizabeth and a page. The lie's author was jealous of their close friendship. In anger, the King ordered the page executed in a lime-burner. The good page set out for the burner room obediently. On his way he stopped for daily Holy Mass, as was his custom. Since the first Mass had begun, he stayed for the second. In the meantime, the King sent the liar for an execution update. Despite protests of innocence, the liar soon found himself inside the lime-burner. When the King learned, he saw it as a sign from God. The good page was saved, the liar punished, and the innocence of St. Elizabeth preserved. Denis apologized to his wife publicly and his respect grew. She was rewarded for her prayers by his rebuking of his sinful life. Next, she was caught between Denis and their legitimate, rebellious son Alfonso. Feeling displaced by the illegitimati, tensions escalated. Before the battle commenced, Queen Elizabeth intervened. She rode out to the scene herself, kneeling between her husband's and son's troops, begging for peace. She successfully reconciled them, earning the title of “Angel of Peace.” Outside the family, Elizabeth would personally distribute food and money at the palace door, to those in need. Despite the king’s anger at her generosity, she found secret ways to continue her charity. Perhaps, her wedding dowry of many towns made her responsible for their welfare. Using her royal position, she constructed monasteries, churches and hospitals for their benefit. 

Peacemaking is not for the weak. When angry people are intent upon destroying each other, it takes discipline. An open mind, a steady spirit and a brave soul is needed to intervene between those in emotional pain. As a female role model for the early 14th century, she brokered 2 more feuds. She was mediator between Ferdinand, king of Aragon and Cousin James, who also claimed the crown. In 1297, she was the decisive conciliator for the Treaty of Alcaneses negotiations. Next, she arbitrated peace between her son Alfonso, now king and Alfonso's son-in-law, the king of Castile, Spain. Elizabeth used her virtue, empathy, self-disregard and an abiding confidence in God. Her moral compass was aimed through her neighbor toward God. Her actions teach us: it is more important to be kind than to be right. When parents and family members fight, what is at stake? St Elizabeth believed: all relationships are precious and worth rescuing. 

Conclusion. As Don Denis lay dying, she never left his side, except for Holy Mass. He received a sacramental death. As a widow she retired and became a Franciscan tertiary, in a Poor Clare monastery. St. Elizabeth lived for 11 more years, active in charity and mortifications. Upon return from a mediation, Elizabeth fell ill and died July 4, 1336. Rather than be buried next to her husband, she rests in Coimbra, Portugal. She lies in the convent of Santa Clara, which she founded. In 1912, medical examiners and Church officials examined her remains and found her body free of decay. On June 24, 1625, she was canonized by Pope Urban VIII. This Spanish princess and Portuguese queen bypassed earthly temptations for heavenly treasures. While queens come and go, Saints live forever. Willingly, Saint Elizabeth traded emotional suffering for the beatific vision. Let us copy her actions, preferring peace over pride, dignity over disagreement and sanctity over success. If we strive for the eternal over the temporary, we too can live in God's glorious and royal court forever!

Prayer:

Saint Elizabeth,

your saintly virtues were your brilliant lights, not your status.

Please pray for us, that we will imitate your example and seek only eternal things.

Help us seek your life of prayer and charity.

Help us find your peace and joy, so we choose God over mammon.

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, pray for us.

Mother Mary, pray for us.

Jesus, we trust in You!

St. Elizabeth of Portugal - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

St Elizabeth of Portugal | Wikipedia