Showery weather last Sunday, Sept. 20 couldn't dampen the spirits of the many people who turned out in observance of the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Portugal. What St. Eliabeth's Church pastor, Rev. Vander S. Martins, started three years ago has blossomed into one of the parish's most noteworthy events.

Although raindrops forced the cancellation of the annual procession through the neighborhood streets, there was still plenty to talk about regarding the beloved St. Elizabeth — and plenty of merriment in the church auditorium where parishioners and friends gathered for some wonderful food and live music by the St. Elizabeth Band.

Born in Zaragoza, Spain, on January 4, 1271, Elizabeth was an Aragonese princess who married King Denis (Dinis) of Portugal while still young and became queen in 1282. She used her standing to care for the poor, support religious and charitable institutions, and intervene in conflicts among rulers and within her own family.

"She was a loving mother and a faithful, devoted wife," Father Martins explained in his weekly message to parishioners. "With patience and firmness, she softened her husband's heart and cared for his spiritual life. Above all, she was a tireless messenger of peace, fighting bravely for peace within her own family, and since theirs was a royal household, that peace extended to the whole kingdom of Portugal."

"Elizabeth was a trailblazer," Father Martins continued, "She acted courageously in the political arena, showing that faith and politics, contrary to what many believe, can and should walk hand in hand."
Her most famous role as a peacemaker came during a confrontation between her husband and their son, the future King Afonso IV. Tradition holds that she personally rode between the opposing forces to avert battle at Alvalade in 1323.

Elizabeth died on July 4, 1336, while traveling to help settle another dispute between her son and the king of Castile. Pope Urban VIII canonized her in 1625. She is often pictured in royal clothing with a dove, an olive branch, or roses—the last referring to the well-known “Miracle of the Roses,” in which bread she carried secretly for the poor was said to have turned into roses.

Said longtime church committee member Fatima Andrade-Milhomens, "I am so thrilled we are celebrating our patron saint as we should, and it means a lot to share this celebration with a combination of all the church committees as a whole and sharing our gratitude to our community with a feast and luncheon, and of course, celebrate our yearly success in fundraising as well, and present the church with our monetary gifts."