The National Conference of Catholic Charities (NCCC) was founded in 1910. The original purpose was to coordinate the efforts of Catholics across the country who were all working in similar ways to serve the poor. In 1986, the organization changed its name to Catholic Charities USA. The leadership felt this would give the organiazation a better chance “to be seen as a national organization with a strong advocacy voice, and to better position the national office to fund its initiatives” (found here)
It makes sense that St. Elizabeth of Hungary would be the patroness of this organization. Certainly, the most striking characteristic of her life was her dedication to charitable endeavors. Rather than try to do it justice myself, I want you to read it from someone who knew her. Here is a excerpt from a letter that her confessor and spiritual advisor, Conrad of Marburg, wrote to the Vatican in support of her canonization.
“Elizabeth was a lifelong friend of the poor and gave herself entirely to relieving the hungry. She ordered that one of her castles should be converted into a hospital in which she gathered many of the weak and feeble. She generously gave alms to all who were in need, not only in that place but in all the territories of her husband’s empire. She spent all her own revenue from her husband’s four principalities, and finally she sold her luxurious possessions and rich clothes for the sake of the poor.
Twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, Elizabeth went to visit the sick. She personally cared for those who were particularly repulsive; to some she gave food, to others clothing; some she carried on her own shoulders, and performed many other kindly services. Her husband, of happy memory, gladly approved of these charitable works. Finally, when her husband died, she sought the highest perfection; filled with tears, she implored me to let her beg for alms from door to door. Good Friday of that year, when the altars had been stripped, she laid her hands on the altar in a chapel in her own town, where she had established the Friars Minor, and before witnesses, she voluntarily renounced all worldly display and everything that our Savior in the Gospel advises us to abandon. Even then, she saw that she could still be distracted by the cares and worldly glory which had surrounded her while her husband was alive. Against my will, she followed me to Marburg. Here in the town, she built a hospice where she gathered together the weak and the feeble. There she attended the most wretched and contemptible at her own table.” (found here)
Truly, St. Elizabeth gives us a remarkable example of what leadership ought to be. She demonstrates love for the people she serves by caring for their basic needs. In doing so, she shares God’s message of love in the world. Isn’t that what we are all called to do?
After his interaction with the rich young man, Jesus told his disciples that “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24, and Mark 10:25) St. Elizabeth demonstrates that although it is so difficult, it is not impossible. In fact, Jesus gave us the secret to accomplishing the astonishing feat. “For human beings it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26, and paraphrased in Mark 10:27)
Well there it is! How can a wealthy person get through that eye of a needle, even on the back of a camel? You simply need to follow God, and he’ll guide you right through it.
But again, as simple as that sounds, it is certainly not easy. Just remember all of the persecution Elizabeth had to endure to remain charitable to the poor. The social constructs all around us seem to conspire against such a simple plan to follow God. Inevitably, we all face those moments when we have to choose between what God wants and what will make us popular or what will make us seem clever.
For example, when someone is sharing a particularly juicy bit of gossip, what will I do? Will I join in and talk badly about the object of the gossip? Will I just listen quietly and pat myself on the back for not joining in? Should I criticize the person who is telling the story, admonishing him or her for being a gossip? Or could I possibly just add something nice to say about the object of the gossip, without passing judgment on anyone else in the conversation?
It is similarly difficult to follow God in financial matters. I don’t think any of us feels like we have a lot of excess money we don’t need that we could be giving to the poor. The difficulty is finding ways to be charitable regardless of how much we have. Jesus tells us about a poor widow who put 2 small coins in the temple treasury. “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:43-44, and paraphrased in Luke 21:3-4)
As we are getting ready for this holiday season, let’s remember St. Elizabeth of Hungary and the lessons that Jesus shared with us. The holidays present wonderful opportunities to be charitable, and such giving always makes the season even better.
Dear God, please continue to guide us all, rich and poor, to greater charity. Let us all know the joy of giving as St. Elizabeth demonstrated. Please give us the courage to follow Your will.