A Saint to be: Madame Élisabeth of France

On this day in 1794, Servant of God, Madame Élisabeth of France was guillotined during the French Revolution. in commemoration of her Feast Day within the Catholic Church, this post is dedicated to her life and legacy. 

                            Servant of God, Madame Élisabeth of France (date and artist unknown)

Born on May 3, 1764, Princess Élisabeth was the daughter of Dauphin Louis of France and his wife, Dauphine Marie Josèphe. At the age of two, Élisabeth was left an orphan following her father's death in 1765 and her mother in 1767. At a young age, Élisabeth had difficulty studying her education. It was not until Élisabeth became ill, that her sister Clothilde inspired her to become devoted to her Catholic faith and learn the French alphabet. Within time, Élisabeth began to change her outlook on life and develop a personality of kindness and humility. 

Choosing to live a charitable and simpler lifestyle, Madame Élisabeth was known for her gracious giving to peasants and the Catholic Church in France. Although never taking religious vows, Élisabeth chose to live as a virgin and give her life to God and her family. Because of this, she would pray each day and seek solace in the Catholic Church. On many occasions, Élisabeth was accredited to showing great charity during harsh harvests and milking cows to provide milk for peasant farmers. As a royal princess, Élisabeth chose to dress in a modest and unpretentious manner. Additionally, Élisabeth developed a close relationship with her sister-in-law, Queen Marie Antoinette of France.


Madame Élisabeth by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun circa 1782


During the outbreak of the French Revolution, Madame Élisabeth played a pivotal role in acting as a central support figure for Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, and the royal family. It was noted that Élisabeth remained calm and patient in this horrific period, placing her faith in God. In 1792, Élisabeth accompanied her family in the failed Flight to Varneess and was subsequently arrested and placed in the Temple Prison. Following the execution of her brother, King Louis XVI, Élisabeth remained with her young niece Marie Thérèse and Marie Antoinette, until the latter was transferred to the Conciergerie Prison. Upon the execution of the former queen, Élisabeth was kept unaware of the event for some time and never recieved the queen's last letter which was addressed to her beloved sister-in-law. Seven months later, Élisabeth was separated from Marie Thérèse and underwent trial in the Revolutionary Tribunal. It was at this time, Élisabeth was told that Marie Antoinette had been executed and she was going to share the same fate. Throughout this time, Élisabeth refused to denounce her Catholic faith, nor support the atrocities of the French Revolution, Élisabeth was charged with conspiracy against the French Republic and given the title "Sister of Louis Capet". On May 10, 1794, Madame Élisabeth was guillotined at the Place de la Concorde. Prior to her death, Élisabeth remained dignified and gave courage to twenty-three fellow prisoners who were executed with her. 

Upon her execution, bystanders noted the smell of roses (referred to as the "odor of martyrdom") when Élisabeth died. Afterward, Élisabeth was placed in a mass grave until her brother, King Louis XVIII attempted to recover her remains during the Bourbon Restoration of 1815. Due to decomposition in the mass grave, Élisabeth's remains were transferred alongside the multiple bodies of victims during the French Revolution into the Catacombs in Paris. 

In 1924, the cause of beatification for Madame Élisabeth was introduced within the Catholic Church for her heroic virtue and martyrdom. Twenty-nine years later, Pope Pius XII declared Madame Élisabeth a "Servant of God". As of now, the cause for canonization is moving forward with help from Cardinal André Vingt-Trois (former Archbishop of Paris) and the French "Association pour la béatification de Madame Élisabeth de France".


Madame Élisabeth in prayer at the time of her imprisonment. 


"What will happen to me today, O my God, I don't know. All I know is that nothing will happen to me that You have not foreseen for all eternity. This is enough for me, O my God, to be quiet. I adore Your eternal designs, I submit to them with all my heart.
I want everything, I accept everything, I sacrifice everything to You; I unite this sacrifice to that of Your dear Son, my Savior.
Asking you, through his Sacred Heart and His infinite merits, for patience in my evils and the perfect submission which is due to You
for whatever You want and allow. So be it." - Prayer of Madame Élisabeth 


Servant of God, Élisabeth is attributed to the: Crown of Matrdom, Fler de Lis, Martyr's Palm, and the Rosary. 

On a personal note, I am honored to share my birthday with Madame Élisabeth and believe that her historic presence has inspired my interest in learning the martyrdom of innocents during the French Revolution and uncovering truths of that period. May Servant of God, Madame Élisabeth rest in eternal peace and I pray that one day she will be declared a saint.


A prayer for the Beatification and Sainthood of Madame Élisabeth of France: 


"God our Father, in Your great mercy You called Elisabeth from France to the offering of his life for his own at the heart of the tumults of the Revolution. Driven by unshakeable faith in eternal life,  she supported her family in the ordeal and brought hope to those who were to die with her. Single, she helped the poor and the sick, carried by fervent daily prayer. Through his intercession, grant us according to Your will, the graces we implore. In Your great goodness, make the Church soon recognize in her an authentic witness of the Gospel, celibate model, diligent in prayer and attentive to the most fragile. We ask you, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen."


References:

Association pour la béatification de Madame Élisabeth de France (ABMEF)

Daughter of the Caesars by Elena Maria Vidal

Guillotine and the Cross by Warren. H Carroll 

Palace of Versailles 

Image credit: 

Petit Trianon, Attique (salon de Madame Élisabeth) 
Chateau Versailles (Vigée Le Brun - Élisabeth of France, Versailles)




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