Thursday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saints: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious (1207-1231); Saint Hilda of Whitby (614-680); Saint Hugh of Lincoln (1140-1200); Saint Dionysius of Alexandria, Bishop (190-265)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 39 The Proper Amount of Food

Mass: Rev 5:1-10; Resp Ps 149; Lk 19:41-44

Sing to the Lord a new song.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Greater love has no on than to lay down his life for his friends.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

We have more powerful intercessors today featuring Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, wife and mother; Saint Hilda of Whitby, Abbess of the famous double monastery (a monastery with both men and women) at Whitby and as Saint Bede the Venerable wrote, gave "a great example of peace and charity ... all who knew her called her mother, such were her wonderful godliness and grace." Then we have the first Carthusian to be canonized in Saint Hugh of Lincoln, and Saint Dionysius of Alexandria who was taught by Origen. God continues to be praised. 

One of the great things about Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is that she did not have to contend with a husband who was opposed to his wife's corporal and spiritual works of mercy. It is said that he even grew to love Elizabeth's open-handed care of the poor, as he said to her, "Dear Elizabeth, it is Christ whom you have cleansed, nourished, and cared for," to which Pope Benedict XVI commented, this was "a clear witness to how faith and love of God and neighbor strengthen family life and deepen ever more the matrimonial union" (Wednesday General Audience Catechesis, October 20, 2010).

The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth was devoted to her husband Ludwig who she married at the age of 14. They had three children. There is so much to say about Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Sadly, time limits our time together. Please look to Pope Benedict XVI and what he said in that October 20, 2010, General Audience, go to the Catholic News Agency and their newsy news "St. Elizabeth of Hungary," and then the awesome second reading from today's Office of Readings, "From a letter by Conrad of Marburg, spiritual director." Among other things, Conrad of Marburg wrote, "Apart from these active works, I declare before God that I have seldom seen a more contemplative woman. When she was coming from private prayer, some religious men and women often saw her face shining marvelously and light coming from her eyes like the rays of the sun." Let the sun like the Son then!

And a very fun fact is that Elizabeth's mother was named Gertrude. And Saint Gertrude the Great is commemorated today (November 17) in Switzerland so we have Elizabeth's mother Gertrude, Saint Gertrude the Great, and Abbess Gertrude of Hackeborn, the Abbess at the great monastery of Helfta. United in faith and prayer, we are good to go. 

SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY,

SAINT HILDA OF WHITBY,

SAINT HUGH OF LINCOLN,

SAINT DIONYSIUS OF ALEXANDRIA,

ORIGEN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From the August archives, I thought Saint Elizabeth of Hungary might like this. And all the Gertrudes and other greats too!

© Gertrude Feick 2022