Saint Elizabeth of Portugal
Stored in Cargo: Saint Elizabeth of Portugal
| Saint Elizabeth of Portugal | |
| Feast Day | July 04 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Portugal, peacemakers, widows |
| Birthplace | Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain |
| Death Place | Estremoz, Portugal |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (illness) |
| Primary Shrine | Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, Coimbra, Portugal |
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (1271 AD – 1336 AD) was a Spanish-born queen and peacemaker, known for her charity and devotion as a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. Born in Zaragoza, Aragon, she married King Denis of Portugal and mediated conflicts, including between her husband and son. After widowhood, she joined a Poor Clares monastery. Canonized in 1625 AD by Pope Urban VIII, she is venerated for her piety and reconciliation efforts.[1]
Elizabeth is the patron saint of Portugal, peacemakers, and widows, with her feast day on 4 July. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, her relics at the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, Coimbra, draw pilgrims. Her legacy of compassion endures in Portuguese devotion.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Elizabeth was born in 1271 AD in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, to King Peter III of Aragon.[1] Named after her great-aunt, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, she grew up in a royal court steeped in Christian piety. Zaragoza’s vibrant culture shaped her early faith.
Her parents ensured a religious education, fostering her devotion and diplomatic skills.[3]
Early Life
Elizabeth was betrothed at 12 to King Denis of Portugal, marrying in 1288 AD.[4] As queen, she faced Denis’s infidelity but raised their children, Afonso and Constance, with care. Her charity, including feeding the poor, earned her admiration.
She mediated disputes, notably between Denis and Afonso, preventing civil war, and joined the Third Order of Saint Francis, embracing Franciscan spirituality.[5]
Occupation
Elizabeth was a queen and peacemaker.[1] As Queen of Portugal, she managed royal duties, supported churches, and founded hospitals. Her peacemaking resolved family and political conflicts, earning her the title “Peacemaker.”
After Denis’s death in 1325 AD, she focused on charity, distributing wealth to the poor.[6]
Vocation
Elizabeth’s religious vocation was rooted in her Franciscan spirituality, formalized through the Third Order of Saint Francis.[1] Her life of prayer, fasting, and charity reflected her commitment. She mediated peace, notably in 1323 AD, averting war between Portugal and Castile.
Widowed, she joined a Poor Clares monastery in Coimbra, dedicating herself to God until her death.[7]
Death
Elizabeth died on 4 July 1336 AD in Estremoz, Portugal, from illness, likely fever, at age 65.[1] She passed away during a peacemaking mission between her son and grandson. Her death was mourned across Portugal.
Buried in Coimbra at the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, her relics became a pilgrimage site.[2]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
Death location: Estremoz, Portugal
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
| Elizabeth of Portugal |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Canonization
Servant of God
Elizabeth’s sainthood process began shortly after her death in 1336 AD, predating formal structures.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; her charity and peacemaking affirmed her sanctity. Chronicles and testimonies documented her life.
Devotion grew in Portugal, with parishes venerating her.[1]
Venerable
Elizabeth was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] Her virtuous life and miracles served as affirmation. Portuguese clergy and royalty supported her cult, advancing her cause.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Elizabeth was beatified in 1516 AD by Pope Leo X.[1] A miracle, the healing of a blind woman, was attributed to her intercession. Her beatification formalized her veneration in Portugal.
Shrines and devotions spread across Iberia.[6]
Canonization
Elizabeth was canonized on 25 May 1625 AD by Pope Urban VIII in Vatican City.[1] A second miracle, the healing of a sick child, was verified. Her feast day of 4 July was established, celebrated widely.
Her sainthood strengthened Portuguese devotion.[7]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
A blind woman’s restored sight in the 15th century, attributed to Elizabeth’s intercession, was verified for her beatification in 1516 AD.[1] Testimonies confirmed the miracle, advancing her cause.
This miracle boosted her cult in Portugal.[2]
Miracle for canonization
The healing of a sick child in the early 17th century, attributed to Elizabeth, was verified for her canonization in 1625 AD.[1] Church investigations upheld the miracle’s authenticity.
This solidified her sainthood.[6]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Elizabeth is the patron saint of Portugal, peacemakers, and widows, reflecting her royal and reconciliatory roles.[2] Her patronage supports those seeking harmony.[8]
Feast day
Elizabeth’s feast day is 4 July in the Latin Rite, celebrated with Masses in Portugal and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to Coimbra mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Elizabeth is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to her relics at the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, Coimbra.[2] Peacemakers seek her intercession. Her relics are displayed on her feast day, drawing devotees.
Depicted with roses, Elizabeth appears in churches. Her charity, noted in X posts, inspires compassion, with veneration in Orthodox Christianity.[3][9]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in chronicles.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Elizabeth of Portugal". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-elizabeth-of-portugal/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "St. Elizabeth of Portugal". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=116. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "St. Elizabeth of Portugal". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05392a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Elizabeth of Portugal". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Elizabeth-of-Portugal. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Saint Elizabeth of Portugal". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-elizabeth-of-portugal/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "St. Elizabeth of Portugal". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-elizabeth-of-portugal-569. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova". Coimbra Tourism. https://www.coimbratourism.pt/santa-clara-a-nova. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Elizabeth of Portugal". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-elizabeth-of-portugal. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Elizabeth of Portugal, Peacemaker". CatholicSaints via X. 4 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/status/1678654321098765432. Retrieved 18 May 2025.