Elizabeth of Portugal, Wife, Mother and Religious

Elizabeth from was a royal family and was destined for a throne from birth, but her early upbringing taught her humility and a strong sense of charity. At the age of twelve, Elizabeth was married to Denis, King of Portugal. Elizabeth earned the title of “Peacemaker” because she frequently intervened between quarreling members of her family. In the royal milieu of the time, family quarrels often turned into wars. On two occasions, Elizabeth came between the forces of her husband and of her son. Two other times, she either averted war or intervened in disputes between rulers of Spanish kingdoms.

In our times, maintaining peace in one’s family does not usually involve averting a war. But peace among family members is no less important—or no less difficult to achieve—than it was in Elizabeth’s time.