Today is the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary – we all know her story don’t we??
We can see King Ludwig approaching the Queen; her apron filled with bread for the poor only to have him pull it aside to see a shower of roses fall?
But, there is little to prove this actually happened. Instead we have a loving husband who supported his young wife’s love for the poor. He is quoted as saying, ‘So long as she doesn’t sell the castle, I am happy with her.’
Born in 1207, married at 13-14 and dead by 24 and yet we know her to this day! Oh, that our lives would be as fruitful as hers in such a short period. St. Elizabeth, pray for us.
As for the king? Why, Christ the King!! This Sunday is that marvelous, yet often overlooked feast day. It will mark the end of the Year of Mercy and a wonderful opportunity for us to talk to our family about what it means to have Christ as our King!
Think of life in a castle, feast and fireplaces, long dresses, the princesses and princes, and allegiance to the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. This Sunday is a great day to have your own little feast – cake and ice cream, construction paper crowns and a recitation of a prayer like this:
Christ Jesus, I acknowledge You King of the universe.
All that has been created has been made for You.
Make full use of Your rights over me.
I renew the promises I made in Baptism,
when I renounced Satan and all his pomps and works,
and I promise to live a good Christian life
and to do all in my power
to procure the triumph of the rights of God
and Your Church.
Divine Heart of Jesus,
I offer you my efforts
in order to obtain that all hearts
may acknowledge your Sacred Royalty,
and that thus the Kingdom of Your peace
may be established throughout the universe.
Amen.
Take a listen to this lovely song by Natalie Grant as it so clearly speaks of how we love to think we are in charge when we have a loving and merciful king who wants nothing more than the very best for us.
