Today, November 18, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Elizabeth of Hungary, we are first invited to read and reflect on a passage from the letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (12:31---13:13), entitled "The primacy of charity". Our treasure, which follows, is from a letter by Conrad of Marburg, spiritual director of Saint Elizabeth.

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, also known as Elisabeth of Thuringia, was born on July 7, 1207. She was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary and the landgravine of Thuringia. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. After her husband's death, she regained her dowry, using the money to build a hospital where she herself served the sick. She died on November 17, 1231, in Marburg, Germany.

In her short life, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people throughout Europe.

At the age of 14, Elizabeth of Hungary was married to Louis of Thuringia, whom she deeply loved. She bore three children. Under the spiritual direction of a Franciscan friar, she led a life of prayer, sacrifice, and service to the poor and sick. Seeking to become one with the poor, she wore simple clothing. Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest in the land who came to her gate.

After six years of marriage, her husband died in the Crusades, and Elizabeth was grief-stricken. Her husband's family looked upon her as squandering the royal purse, and mistreated her, finally throwing her out of the palace. The return of her husband's allies from the Crusades resulted in her being reinstated, since her son was legal heir to the throne.

In 1228, Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order, spending the remaining few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital which she founded in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Elizabeth's health declined, and she died before her 24th birthday in 1231. Her great popularity resulted in her canonization four years later.

Konrad von Marburg was an early thirteenth century medieval German Catholic priest, inquisitor and nobleman. He is perhaps best known as the spiritual director of Elizabeth of Hungary. Konrad's life is not well known, he may be of aristocratic descent which corroborates with contemporary church sources describing him as well-educated and highly knowledgeable.

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul warns against divisions within the Church and emphasizes the importance of unity among Church members. He warns members against sexual immorality, teaches that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and encourages self-discipline.