The Elate Eight continues with reckless abandon as Elizabeth of Hungary takes on Verena of Zurzach.
Yesterday, in a VERY TIGHT battle that saw back-and-forth lead changes all day, Sundar Singh prevailed over Emily Cooper 51% to 49% to advance to the Faithful Four. Yes, folks, every (single!) vote counts.
Here's your Daily Lenten Showdown...
Vote now!
Elizabeth of Hungary
She was, by all Lent Madness accounts, the people’s princess of the 1200s, but for all those who have fallen for her acts of mercy, for her devoted heart for all she encountered, and for her unflinching commitment to the poor, how can we, in the year of Our Lord 2025, become our own version of the St. Elizabeth of Hungary? Good news, you can fill a whole entire day with Elizabeth kitcsh!
Begin the day by baking rose-shaped bread by following All the Household’s St. Elizabeth Rose Cinnamon Twists recipe.
And while you bake bread inspired by one of St. Elizabeth’s canonical miracles of bread that she stole from the castle to give to the poor being transformed into roses when she was being interrogated by gentry who found her kinship with the poor unbefitting, you can donne an apron with a St. Elizabeth stained glass window on it.
If you are feeling like you need to embody St. Elizabeth’s spirit in a more fulsome way, there are all sorts of ideas around St. Elizabeth Day costumes, for children and adults alike.
But if you’d like a perennial, garden reminder of the ways in which God is at work throughout the seasons of this world in and out of the good and bad times as St. Elizabeth showed us in her faithfulness, might I suggest the St. Elisabeth of Hungary Rose? It’s gorgeous—it’s the people’s princess of roses.
And lastly, you can musically cap off your day with Elizabeth as she inspired many pieces. There are musicals, but unless you speak fluent German (I do not), it doesn’t have quite the same impact as a medival office music. This album is available for purchase at various places, but is also available on Spotify, and I can attest that it does indeed elevate late night writing sessions.
My final words on Elizabeth will come from this album, and the (translated) title of track near the end of the Offices: A Strong Woman. Remember the Mother.
Verena of Zurzach
St. Verena, the mother of nuns, began her life of service as a young woman following her cousin in a Roman legion. She cared for the soldiers, nursing those who were sick. You, too, can, follow in the model of Verena with your very own medical kit, filled with all sorts of ways to care for those random bumps, bruises, and cuts from genuflecting during Holy Week.
When she heard the news of the tragic death of an entire Roman legion, Verena fled to Switzerland and lived in a cave as an ascetic. If you would like a quiet place to pray in the model of Verena, never fear – a plastic cave can easily be made into a chapel for those dedicated moments with God.
Verena, whose name means, “good fruit,” reminds us all to bear fruit of the Spirit. To help us remember, we can fill up those candy bowls with these Fruit of the Spirit fruit-flavored snacks. There is no candy like Jesus candy.
Verena spent her life caring for the sick and those in need. She also shared basic hygiene skills with those in her community. We can only imagine that Verena would have loved to demonstrate appropriate beard grooming with this faithful servant beard comb, scented with sandalwood and sold with a random psalm citation. Happy beard grooming, all you bearded men for Jesus!
Icons of Verena also show her holding a loaf of bread, symbolic of both her dedication to the Holy Eucharist and Jesus, the Bread of Life, and her dedication to feeding those in need. While you could make an authentic loaf of warm, crusty bread, for that on-the-go reminder of the grace we are called to show others by feeding Christ’s sheep, you can pop a jar of Amazing Grace wafers in your backpack and go forth into the world.
Writings about Verena say that her love won over the sword of violence. You can wear a daily reminder of the truth she lived with your very own heart and sword necklace. Order yours in time for Holy Week!
49 comments on “Elizabeth of Hungary vs. Verena of Zurzach”
competitive kitsch is the cheerleading of Lent Madness
Mainly based on the fact that Elizabeth actually lived, while with Verena there is some room for doubt, I'm going with Elizabeth today.
I love them both, but oh, Verena's kitsch!
Applause to Laurie for finding kitschy items that fit Verena’s story. But for authentic kitsch, Elizabeth of Hungry wins this round - and my vote today.
Sticking with Verena today! Keeping with the Z’s!
Where can I get Fruit of tie Spirit candy?
"no candy like Jesus candy"
The now trending invitation to recieve communion
Bravo to Becca and Laurie for an amazing round of Saintly Kitsch. You not only found items that are amusing, but you also wrote essays that were inspiring as well considering each saint. Thank you!
Yesterday was the closest matchup so far. Two points. Hope he goes all the way. WOW
Superb kitsch today from both writers. But… Becca Kello got me with the cinnamon buns and the pink roses. I’m a sucker for sweet, beautiful things. Elizabeth has my vote.
While I'm not the "People's Princess,", my middle name is Elizabeth--also I'm no saint, so I'll claim kinship by voting St Elizabeth of Hungary onward and upward.
Not only did I vote for Elizabeth, but I'm going to make her cinnamon roses the next time the family gets together!
As a baker you had me with the recipe for St Elizabeth Rose Cinnamon Twists!
Inviting all over to enjoy hot twists from the oven!
Peace and grace
Thank you for the cinnamon roll roses link! I would love to see the "Saintly Sprinkles" feature return to Lent Madness.
You had me at cinnamon rolls...
Voted for Elizabeth, but I know a guy who is getting a BEARD COMB in his stocking next Christmas!
Verena kitch was the BEST!
Way to go Laurie.
My grandparents were all born in Hungary so I have to vote for Elizabeth. Great kitsch for both.
As a Hungarian, Elizabeth was my pick of course, but Laurie, you did such a good job on pointing out Verena’s community service on the go, then from her home as an refugee.. well… she got my vote this time
Like the healer
Mine also from Hungary. Grew up loving Elizabeth of Hungary
I have voted for Verena in every round, so she gets my vote again today. I've got a spot in my heart for ascetics. But I have to acknowledge that Elizabeth's kitsch was outstanding!
You had me at "There is no candy like Jesus"!
I ordered the rose, it is beautiful. Thank you Becca
Sorry, not a fan of the kitcshy side of things. I'd rather learn more about the saints.
Fabulous write ups. I wish I could vote for both of these worthy women, but I worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 24 years, and I am voting for Verena of Zurzach.
Nurses are wonderful, but I am voting for feeding the poor. This may be a reaction to current civil administration policy, but feeding people in #1.
And I'm making the St. Elizabeth rose rolls right now
My mother and my niece are named Elizabeth and my daughter’s middle name also. My vote goes there.
Great kitsch for both saints! I was torn between the two, but in the end the beard comb won me over! Verna for creative kitsch!