Blessed Louis of Thuringia

Blessed Louis of Thuringia – September 11th

This German prince married St. Elizabeth of Hungary when he was twenty-one and she was just fourteen. The marriage had been arranged for them by their parents, as was the custom in those days. But they both loved God, and He gave them a great love for each other. So it was that they were very happy together, and their joy increased when God sent them three children. The youngest child of these holy rulers is Blessed Gertrude.

Louis helped his wife in her many works of charity to the poor, and joined her in devout prayer. Time after time, the people saw their handsome prince and his lovely wife helping the poor. But once, Elizabeth went so far as to bring a leper into their castle and nursed him in their bed! For a moment, when Louis saw that, he was angry. Then, suddenly, instead of the leper, he saw our crucified Lord lying there! After that proof of how much Jesus appreciated Elizabeth’s charity, Louis had a hospital for lepers built.

One long, bitter cold winter, Louis had to be away from his land and when he returned, Elizabeth’s joy overflowed. After she had lovingly kissed him, Louis asked how the people had gotten through the hard winter. “I gave to God what was His,” answered his holy wife, “and God had kept for us what was ours.”

The next year, Louis left on a Crusade to free the Holy Land from the Moslems. But on the way, he caught malaria, and soon was dying.

Because he had always lived in close union with Our Lord, the brave ruler felt no fear of death. He died in great peace, after receiving the Last Sacraments. And he also had a beautiful vision of white doves coming to bring his soul to Heaven.

Today I will look for every occasion I can find to do something good to my family, friends and neighbors.