Mary appeared to Saint Elizabeth of Portugal

Saint Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal (1271-1336), received her name at her baptism, in memory of St Elizabeth of Hungary, her aunt. At the age of eight, she began the practice of reciting the Divine Office daily and continued it until her death. She despised luxury, shunned entertainment, assisted the poor, fasted often, and led a truly saintly life. When she had some free time, she sewed altar cloths and clothes for the poor.

Raised to the throne of Portugal by her marriage to Denis, King of that country, she was remarkably patient in the trials she often had to endure from her husband, and, in return for his harsh attitude and infidelities, showed him only kindness and affectionate devotion, which eventually triumphed over his rebellious heart. Elizabeth is famous for acting as a peacemaker between princes and peoples.

Every Friday during Lent, she washed the feet of 13 poor people, and after humbly kissing them, she dressed them in new clothes. On Maundy Thursday, she performed the same service to 13 poor women. One day when she was washing the feet of these poor women, there was a woman among them who had a sore on her foot whose bad smell was unbearable. So the queen, despite of her strong repugnance, took that filthy foot, dressed the ulcer, washed it, wiped it, kissed it and healed it. The same miracle happened to a poor leper.

One day, while she was carrying alms to the poor in the folds of her dress, her husband asked to see what she was carrying, and by a miracle the coins turned into roses, even though it was winter. After the death of the King, Elizabeth wanted to retire to the Poor Clares Convent, but she was told that she would do better by continuing her charitable works. After a lifetime of heroic works, she saw the Blessed Virgin just before her death. Our Lady appeared to her, accompanied by St Clare and some other saints.

L. Jaud, Vie des Saints pour tous les jours de l'année, Tours, Mame, 1950.