St. Elizabeth of Hungary Coloring Page
This St. Elizabeth of Hungary coloring page shows the young princess in a crown and long cloak, her apron full of roses, handing a loaf of bread to a child, with a castle on the hill behind. The PDF is free to print. Elizabeth gave all she had to the poor and sick.
The story of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
About 800 years ago, a baby princess named Elizabeth was born to the king of Hungary. When she was only four years old, she was sent far away to a castle in Germany, to grow up with the family of the prince she would marry. In time she married a prince named Ludwig, and they loved each other very much.
Elizabeth lived in a castle, but she never forgot the poor. She went down the hill to bring food to hungry families. She cared for sick people with her own hands. When there was a famine and people had nothing to eat, she gave away grain and bread from the castle storerooms.
People tell a lovely story about her. One day Elizabeth was carrying bread to the poor in her apron. Her husband met her on the way and asked what she was carrying. When she opened her apron, there was no bread, only beautiful roses! That story is a legend, but it shows how much God loved her kind heart.
Then sad news came. Ludwig died on a journey. Elizabeth was heartbroken. She gave up her fine life and joined the Third Order of St. Francis. She built a hospital in the town of Marburg and worked there every day, washing, feeding and caring for the sick and the poor.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary died in 1231, when she was only 24. She is a patron of hospitals, nurses, bakers and the homeless. Her feast is November 17.
What to color
- Her crown: gold, because she was a princess and a queen of charity.
- The roses: red and pink with green leaves, for the legend of the bread and the roses.
- The bread: golden brown, for the food she gave the hungry.
- Her cloak and gown: blue, red or purple, or brown for the Franciscans.
- The water jug: reddish clay, for giving drink to the thirsty.
- The castle and hospital: gray stone, with a red cross on the hospital roof.
A prayer to pray together
When we think of people who are hungry or sick, we can say:
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us.
Children can add: and help us share what we have.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on her feast, November 17.
- Bake bread or rolls together and give some to a neighbor or a food pantry.
- Collect canned food, warm socks or blankets for people in need.
- Put a few paper roses in a basket of bread on your table on her feast.
- Talk about it: Elizabeth was rich, but she shared everything. What can we share this week?
Read the full story: St. Elizabeth of Hungary in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Elizabeth of Hungary?
Make her crown gold and her roses red and pink with green leaves. Her cloak can be any royal color, such as blue, red or purple, or brown like the habit of the Franciscans she later joined. The bread is golden brown.
Why does St. Elizabeth have roses in her apron?
People tell a story that Elizabeth was carrying bread to the poor when her husband met her and asked what she had. When she opened her apron, the bread had turned into roses. It is a legend, but it shows how God loved her generous heart.
Why does St. Elizabeth wear a crown?
She was a real princess, the daughter of the king of Hungary. She married the ruler of Thuringia in Germany, but she used her riches to care for the poor.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.