A saint for the 4th of July

St. Elizabeth of Portugal by Francisco de Zurbarán (click on image/larger vision)

On the civil calendar of the USA it's the Fourth of July. On the church calendar, we are called to honor St. Elizabeth of Portugal. Catholic Peace Fellowship (see the sidebar) reminds us:

St. Elizabeth of Portugal was a wise woman who knew how to broker peace. She was born in 1271 and married Denis, King of Portugal, at the age of twelve. Known for her piety, Elizabeth was close to the poor and ardent in calls for redistribution of land.

Elizabeth prevented war between Portugal and Castille at least four times by mediating with the kings. In 1320, Elizabeth's son, Alfonso, at 20 years of age, organized and led a revolution against his father's tyranny. Torn between the love and loyalty of the two, Elizabeth tried to negotiate a truce; however, because her husband, King Denis, no longer trusted her motives, he banished her from the kingdom. Five years later, Denis fell ill. Despite the years of infidelity, Elizabeth forgave her husband and nursed him until his death.

Elizabeth died seeking peace and reconciliation amongst the fierce monarchs of her age. Her son was now King Alfonso IV, and in 1336, he set out to do battle with his son-in-law, the King of Castile. Elizabeth, though sick, set off to bring peace between them. She succeeded in her mission, but the exertions and heat were too much for her ailing body and she died before she could return to her beloved nuns at Coimbra. Nevertheless, Elizabeth was buried in the magnificent convent she founded in Coimbra, where she had often humbly served the other nuns at table.

Elizabeth was popularly known as "the peacemaker." She is among the patron saints of peacemakers to whom we can turn in times of war.

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal: pray for us!

-ConcordPastor