Today's saint had a tremendous effect on 14th century Portugal. She was born in 1271 and was the daughter of Peter III, future King of Aragon, in Spain. She was named Elizabeth, or Isabella in Spanish, after another great saint, her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

She had a sweet and gentle disposition from birth and this was fostered by her upbringing. Elizabeth's mother taught her virtuous living from the beginning. She was taught obedience and consideration of others. She learned that the submission of her will to the needs of other was a greater thing than self-indulgence. Elizabeth also learned to say no to her own urges by little things like not eating between meals. This helped her to grow into a kind, gentle, compassionate and loving young woman. She was a peace maker even at an early age, reconciling her grandfather, King James, with her father, whose quarreling nature was dividing the kingdom.

At the age of twelve she was married to Dennis, King of Portugal. He was a good and just ruler but his personal life was a shambles. He allowed Elizabeth to live a devout life which gave her the graces needed to accept the trials that faced her. She attended Mass daily and spent time in prayer each morning and evening. She raised her husband's illegitimate children as her own and she often came as peacemaker between her husband and their own rebellious son Alphonso. She prevented a war between Ferdinand IV of Castile and his cousin. Also a war between that cousin and her brother, James II of Aragon was averted through her mediation. She lived simply at home and gave her time to helping all those she could. She founded a hospital at Coimbra and many charitable establishments throughout the kingdom for the poor and needy for whom she had a special love. She would provide marriage dowries for girls in need and made a special effort to find those who were poor and help them. Pilgrims and strangers were always provided with lodgings and what ever they needed. Children were her special love and she founded homes to care for orphans and unwanted children.

Her husband became seriously ill in 1324 and Elizabeth ministered to him continuously. Her gentleness and love brought about his conversion of life. He died peacefully in January of 1325. She wanted to retire to a convent of Poor Clares which she had founded at Coimbra. However her family was opposed and instead she became a Third-Order Franciscan. It was a mission of peace and reconciliation that brought about her death. In spite of age and a very heavy summer heat, she went to Estremoz to mediate between her son and her nephew Alphonso XI of Castile. She died on July 4, 1336. She was canonized by Pope Urban VIII in 1625. From her life history we can understand what her holiness consisted of. Perhaps iconography most aptly describes it by showing her always with a dove or an olive branch.