St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena
Contents
Show HideJust because she was royalty doesn’t mean St. Elizabeth’s life was easy. She faced many difficulties, including infidelity from her husband, family quarrels, and more. However, she was able to face all of these trials with patience and love thanks to her devotion to God, strengthened by her attendance at daily Mass.
Pray the St. Elizabeth of Portugal novena with us to ask for her intercession!
About St. Elizabeth of Portugal
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal was born in 1271 in Spain. She was a Spanish princess, born to the future king of Aragon. Not only did St. Elizabeth succeed in becoming a saint, so did her great-aunt: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, after whom St. Elizabeth of Portugal was named.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal was faithful to God from her youth. She was a sweet and lovely child. She was also beautiful. Her beauty was made even more significant by the beauty of her heart for God. She devoted herself to prayer and even practiced fasting as a young child.
Her beauty ended up becoming a trial for her, however. She was married at a very young age, only 12 years old. St. Elizabeth was married to King Diniz (Denis) of Portugal. While their marriage began well enough, it quickly soured. King Denis loved Elizabeth, but he also loved other women. He was continually unfaithful to his wife. Not only did this cause Elizabeth much pain, but it also brought scandal on the kingdom.
Outside of his affairs, King Denis was a hard worker and a good king. Unfortunately, his affairs helped him to father seven children outside of the two that he and St. Elizabeth had together. Additionally, life in the palace was full of immorality as many in the kingdom followed the king’s errant ways.
It would be understandable if St. Elizabeth lost her trust in God or even abandoned Him in the face of these trials and temptations from others. However, they only strengthened her regard for Her Savior. She never ceased to try to repair her family. At one point, she physically stood between her husband and their son, who was going to battle against King Denis because he felt unpreferred compared to the king’s illegitimate children. She ended a war between them.
She also prayed for her family and offered them a model of grace, patience, and piety. She attended Mass daily. Like her saintly great-aunt, she also cared deeply for the needs of the poor and encouraged her attendants to do so as well.
Finally, St. Elizabeth’s constant prayers for her family were answered. Her husband repented of his infidelity and lived a holy life until his death.
Following his death in 1325, St. Elizabeth became a Third Order Franciscan, remaining a lay woman but following some of the order’s practices. She remained in a convent that she helped to establish. She lived the rest of her life peacefully in prayer and devotion to God and the poor. She continued to act as the peacemaker in her family until she died in 1336.
Given the miracles that occurred by her intercession following her passing, she was canonized in 1625. She is the patron saint of Third Order Franciscans.
St. Elizabeth’s Feast Day: July 4
Why Pray the St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena?
St. Elizabeth is a wonderful intercessor for the laity. As a married woman and mother, she understands the struggles of daily life.
The St. Elizabeth novena is perfect for those who are struggling in their marriages. Her patience and prayers for her husband eventually brought him back to God!
She is also a wonderful intercessor for those in positions of power. As a queen, she didn’t use her power for her own gain, but rather to glorify God. Pray the St. Elizabeth of Portugal novena if you wish to do the same in your own positions of power!
She is also the patron saint of those who are part of the Third Order Franciscans. If you are a part of the Third Order or are considering joining, this novena can help in your discernment.
Finally, if you are looking to increase your prayer life, St. Elizabeth is a wonderful patron for this topic. She attended Mass daily. Pray the St. Elizabeth of Portugal novena to ask for this dedication to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!
You can pray the St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena for any intention!
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena Prayers
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O God, You gave us marriage for companionship and to give us a glimpse of how much You love us. But we’re human, and sometimes we fail to love others in the way You want us to.
I’ve seen so many marriages that fall short of this ideal, Lord.
St. Elizabeth, your marriage was far from blissful. In addition to having to suffer knowing your husband was having affairs, you also had to act as the family peacekeeper between your own children and those he fathered with other women.
Yet, your prayers for him eventually won out, and he returned fully to the Faith and remained faithful to you.
Please intercede on behalf of all married couples, St. Elizabeth. Affirm them in their vocation. Surround them with others who champion their marriage and give them worthy examples of true married love. May all who are wounding their spouses physically, spiritually, or emotionally turn from their ways and feel the love of God and their spouse. I pray that all married couples may achieve that goal of loving the other as God would want them to. May all married couples use their union to point to God!
Please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth of Portugal, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth, you certainly valued the beauty of the Mass - you went daily!
Sometimes, I get distracted in Mass. While I know that the Eucharist is such an important part of our Faith and lives, I get distracted by what I cannot see.
Likewise, I find myself making excuses. I’m too busy to take time to go to Mass, stop by Adoration, or even simply pray.
However, the effects of daily Mass attendance on your life are seen, St. Elizabeth. It was through your prayers at daily Mass that you were able to pray your husband back to the faith. It’s even said that one of your pages was saved from unfair death by stopping first to attend Mass.
St. Elizabeth, can you help me be more attentive to Mass? Inspire my heart to feel what my eyes cannot see. Encourage me even in my distractions to persevere, so that I may better know Our Lord through this Sacrament. Stir my heart to partake of this Sacrament even more, and to better understand it when I do!
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth of Portugal, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, You said that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we needed to have hearts and faith like children. Thank You for the gift of children’s witness to Your Love!
St. Elizabeth, you were devoted to God even as a child. From an early age, your royalty didn’t stand in the way of knowing who the true King was. You prayed, sacrificed, and even fasted to try to please God.
I can’t say that I always have even half of the faith that you had as a child. As an adult, I struggle to find time to pray. I balk at sacrifice. And fasting has to combat my self-indulgent behavior.
Yet, I know that all of these things are necessary for my spiritual health.
St. Elizabeth, please pray for me. Ask God to allow me to return to my childlike faith. Help me to find wonder in creation and knowledge. Help me to trust that God always has my best interests at heart. Help me to love everyone and seek to help others.
Finally, I also pray that you intercede on behalf of these intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, Jesus once told His disciples that it was easier for someone who was rich to pass through the eye of a needle than to enter heaven. Yet, you were able to do just that!
Despite your royal status, you knew who the true Leader was in your life. You never let your status get in the way of your prayer, devotion to God, or care for the poor. You didn’t even let the errant ways of those in the kingdom sway you from your beliefs.
I ask that you particularly watch over all those in authority, St. Elizabeth. Guide their decisions to reflect God’s love. Give them discernment and wisdom to rule righteously and fairly over their people. Guard their hearts from corruption or evil, brought to them through various temptations from the devil. Especially watch over their conceit and pride in their power. Convict them in the belief that their power comes from God’s blessings, not their own merits. Finally, commit their souls to God, to serving One greater than they.
Please also keep in mind my other intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Elizabeth, you are the patron saint of those who are Third Order Franciscans. This group is a segment of religious life set aside for the laity. They follow the charisms of the Franciscans in a manner that is suitable for their life as laity. Following your husband’s death, you became a Third Order Franciscan and lived in the convent you helped create.
Today, I commit to you all who are discerning religious life, especially the laity who are considering joining a Third Order. Discerning a vocation is always filled with doubts and lots of commitment to prayer and following God’s will. Making that type of decision should never be taken lightly!
Please guide all those who are actively discerning their vocation. Give them the grace to hear God’s call. Please also inspire all those who are not discerning their vocation to actually do so.
Finally, please guide me in my own vocation. Whether I have determined my vocation or it is still an ongoing process, please affirm me in the choice. Open my heart to follow God’s will, no matter where it leads me.
I also ask that you keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions)
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, You gave us the greatest role model we could ever ask for: Your Son, Jesus.
St. Elizabeth, you too are a wonderful role model of how to live a virtuous life, both during your time on earth and now as a saint. As a wife, mother, and public figure, you didn’t let your power go to your head. Instead, you modeled prayer, patience, and an attitude of service. Likewise, as a saint, you continue to inspire generations on living a life that pleases God.
I know that I am a role model to many in my life, perhaps to some I don’t even realize. St. Elizabeth, I want to be a model of virtue, like you were. I know that my actions are seen and judged, both the good and the bad. And I know there have been times that my actions would not reflect the things of God.
Saint Elizabeth, can you help me become a Godly role model? Watch over my actions. Guide me towards the things that reflect God and not my own worldly faults. Help my actions to reflect, not my selfishness, but God’s love. In all that I do, help me to give God glory.
Please also intercede on behalf of my other intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, You tell us that whatever we do for the least of our neighbors, we do for You. Serving others, especially the poor who cannot repay us physically, is just another way of honoring You.
You took this idea to heart, St. Elizabeth. Like your great aunt before you, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, you had a special place in your heart for the poor. Your royalty did not affect your ability to serve others; in fact, you were able to use your wealth and power to serve others.
Sometimes, the thing that holds me back from helping the poor is fear. What do I really have to offer? What if I see something that frightens or saddens me? What will my friends think of me? What if I don’t know what to say?
Help me to let go of these fears, St. Elizabeth. Grant me the wisdom and courage to charge boldly into situations where I can help. Increase my understanding so that I can help fully where I can and pray for those situations I cannot change. In all I do, help my goal to always be serving.
Even better, I would love the opportunity to help others by talking about Christ! Allow me to honor God and my neighbor all at the same time.
Please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, I know that You made people to be in Your image and likeness. My body, the way it works and looks, is all from You. Sometimes, though, I have trouble remembering that. There are times when I don’t like the way I look or get frustrated when things don’t work the way they should.
St. Elizabeth, from a young age, you were renowned for your beauty. You didn’t let your attractiveness make you selfish or conceited, however.
I sometimes get insecure about my body, St. Elizabeth. I feel awkward or ashamed of certain features. I feel broken when things don’t work like they’re “supposed” to. My physical handicaps and limitations make me feel less worthy of love and respect as everyone else.
St. Elizabeth, remind me strongly of my dignity as a human person. When I look in the mirror, show me how God sees me, not how I see myself. Surround me with people who affirm me in my appearance and remind me of my even greater worth and dignity for what is in my heart, mind, and soul. Please also always fill me with the courage to use my body in ways that glorify God and do not demean or diminish its (and my) worth.
I also ask that you keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, I love You. Not only did You give me this life, but You continue to pour out blessings upon me each day. When I fall down in life, either to sin or under the trials that weigh me down, You never give up on me. You love me unconditionally! I want to serve You faithfully all of my days!
St. Elizabeth, you fell in love with God at a very young age. As a child, you were fully devoted to God, despite the many temptations that surrounded you. In spite of this bad example, you remained close to Him. You even remained faithful in the midst of trials like family squabbles and your husband’s continuous infidelity.
I too have trials in my life, St. Elizabeth. They weigh me down and sometimes even cause me to sin. I find it hard to remember all the joy God has brought into my life when everything seems to be a struggle.
Help me to cling to His promises through these struggles, St. Elizabeth. Grant me the grace to love Him even when it’s hard or when I have doubts. Pray me through my temptations to sin, so that one day I may have pleased God enough to become a saint for Him, just like you.
At this time, I also request that you pray on my behalf for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.