Elisabeth was born in 1129 to a nobile family named Hartwig of the Middle Rhine, in the Kingdom of Germany within the Holy Roman Empire.
From a young age, she displayed a deep devotion to the Catholic faith and was raised and educated at Schoenau Benedictine abbey near the town. There, she found her true home and spiritual calling and at the age of 12, entered the abbey, dedicating herself to a life of prayer, contemplation, and service to God.
She took her vows and remained there the rest of her life. Even from early on, she was known for her piety, humility, and deep spiritual experiences.
She developed a close friendship with Saint Hildegard von Bingen, a renowned mystic and writer.
She was a zealous observer of the Rules and regulations of the Order, and devoted to practices of mortification.
At 26, she began experiencing extraordinary mystical experiences. She received ecstasies and visions of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, and was granted the gift of prophecy. These generally occurred on Sundays and Holy Days at Mass or Divine Office or after hearing or reading the lives of Saints. On occasion, the saint would appear to her and provide instruction. She also would also witness visions of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Along with these, she also suffered intense attacks from demonic forces but still, she persevered in her faith and sought solace in her writings.
Her abbot, Hildelin, told her to relate these things to her brother Egbert who was a priest at the church of Bonn. She hesitated out of fear of being deceived, or how she would be perceived, but obeyed. Her brother arranged her writings and published them.
They in turn became 3 books of “Visions” along with theological terminology, and Revelations about the Virgin Mary. These writings chronicled her encounters offering insights into heaven, hell, and the spiritual realm. They also provided guidance on living a virtuous and faithful life.
“I saw my Lady standing beside the altar, in a garment like a priestly chasuble and she had on her head a glorious crown.” Mary acts as an intercessor to hold back the anger of her Son from punishing the world in His anger for sin.
As the years went by, her health grew increasingly fragile, partly due to the strenuous periods of ecstasies and visions, but continued to serve in the abbey community.
In 1157, she was appointed as the abbess, holding the position until her death on June 18, 1164, at the age of 38 due to natural causes.
Pope Gregory XIII added her name to the Roman Martyrology in 1584, acknowledging her sanctity and venerable status within the Catholic Church.
She is the patron saint of resisting temptations.
Her feast day is June 18.
For God’s Glory.
