Atrium - St. Elizabeth of Hungary Stained-Glass Window

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Stained-Glass Window

Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231), also known as Elisabeth of Thuringia, was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. After her husband's death, she used the money in her dowry to build a hospital where she served the sick. She became a symbol of Christian charity after her death in 1231 at the age of 24 and was canonized on May 25, 1235. Upon her canonization, she was declared the patron saint of the Third Order of St Francis, an honor she shares with St. Louis IX of France.

St. Elizabeth is often depicted holding a basket of bread, or some other sort of food or beverage, characteristic of her devotion to the poor and hungry. The "miracle of the roses" is the most famous miracle attributed to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. St. Elizabeth was secretly taking food from the castle to give to the poor when she was met by her husband, Ludwig, who was concerned she might be stealing from the treasury. When he asked her to open her cloak, the bread she was carrying had miraculously changed into a beautiful bouquet of roses. To the left of St. Elizabeth can be seen a bouquet of roses – a reminder of this miracle.

We pray to St. Elizabeth of Hungary for her example of selfless charity and compassion, especially for the poor, sick, and needy. She is invoked as a patron saint for those who serve others, such as healthcare workers and social workers, and for individuals in difficult situations, including hospitals, beggars, brides, widows, and those mourning a child's death.

There is a plaque and relic honoring St. Elizabeth outside of the nurse’s office at Roger Bacon.

Her Feast Day is November 17th.

The window is in memory of Lisa Fath Ray who passed away at the age of 41 on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. She was the beloved mother to Liam Bernard, Lily Catherine, Olivia Grace and Chloe Elizabeth. She is lovingly remembered by her husband Scott Matthew Ray, her brother, Scott Jacob Fath, her sisters, Heather Lyn Fath & Lindsay Everest (Robbie), her parents, Harry and Linda Fath, her mother-in-law, Mary Ann Ray and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Lisa was a light in this world and her capacity for love was boundless. She was a living testimony to a mother's pure, unconditional love and all that it can accomplish.

The Fath family is a big supporter of Catholic education in the city of Cincinnati (i.e., Catholic Inner-city Schools Education, Springer School, St. Xavier High School) as well as other organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, University of Notre Dame, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Lindner Center of Hope, Mercy Ships, Ensemble Theatre, Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati Art Museum, Greater Cincinnati Foundation and several other civic and social activities.