The Greatest of These is Love: The Life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

by Lori Pieper

Though St. Elizabeth of Hungary lived 800 years ago, she has a unique appeal for Christians today. Love, rather than politics or ideology, was the driving force of her life. She was a happily married woman who loved her husband and children. She was a lover not just of social justice in the abstract, but of the poor as individuals. Above all, Elizabeth hungered for God, and found him in her everyday activities as a noblewoman, wife and mother before she found him in heroic charity to the poor and in religious life in imitation of St. Francis. The Greatest of These is Love, first written for the 8th centenary of Elizabeth's birth in 2007, and based on the most up-to-date research, will bring us closer to her than ever before. It also includes an English translation of the testimonies given by her closest friends at her canonization process, along with newly-discovered from the process never before translated into English; and a section of prayers for private meditation or group celebrations.

Genres: Nonfiction

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Katie Marquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging, approachable look at a remarkable woman's life.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book from cover to cover. This was well-done for a scholarly work. Three stars because I couldn't take all of the Catholic mysticism and justification by works, and it's just hard for me to know what to believe. I hope Elizabeth only depended on Christ for her salvation, not rejecting her wealth, etc. But if she did trust in Christ alone, I think she'd be rolling in her grave to have people praying to her.