The virtue of charity fulfills the Great Commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. . . .You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31) Love of neighbor is fulfilled by works of mercy: feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick an imprisoned, burying the dead.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary was a Hungarian princess who lived in the thirteenth century. Although her marriage to Ludwig IV of Thuringia, a German nobleman, was arranged for her by her parents when she was a small child, she loved him very much. Ludwig loved her as well and was supportive of her pursuit of a spiritual life of prayer and corporal works of mercy. They had three children. After his death, Elizabeth took a vow of celibacy, and lived a life of humility and obedience to her spiritual director, Master Conrad of Marburg, who was very strict and harsh with her. She was only 24 years old when she died. (https://www.catholic.org/
Dear Holy Spirit, through the intercession of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, please grant to (names) an increase in the virtue of charity. Help them to follow the example of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in their daily lives, keeping God at the center of their lives and performing works of mercy. Help them to grow in virtue until their love is as close as humanly possible to Your love for them. Let this love for each other expand to include all those around them, especially those in their care. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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