Blessed Elizabeth Achler

Biography

Blessed Elizabeth Achler, also known as Betha the Good, Betha von Reute, Elisabeth Acheer, Elisabeth Achlin, Elisabeth Bona von Reute, Elisabeth den Gode, Elisabeth the Good, Elizabeth Acheer, Elizabeth of Reute, Elizabeth the Good, Elizabeth the Recluse, Elsbeth Achler, Elsbeth Achlin, and Elsbeth von Reute, was born on 25 November 1386 in Waldsee, Wurttemberg, Swabia, Germany. She was the daughter of John and Anne Achler, and her family lived in poverty.

At the age of 14, Elizabeth became a Franciscan tertiary, desiring to lead a religious life. However, she found it challenging to maintain her spiritual depth while living with her parents. Determined to pursue a more dedicated path, at the age of 17, she joined a small community of four other tertiaries in Reute, Germany. This community would become her home for the rest of her life.

Elizabeth was known for her profound religious experiences. Throughout her life, she frequently experienced ecstasies and received visions of heaven, hell, and purgatory. Her ability to connect with the divine granted her tremendous insight into the spiritual realm.

One extraordinary aspect of Elizabeth's life was her stigmatization. She bore the wounds of Christ, which caused her constant pain. Her wounds would particularly intensify on Fridays and during the season of Lent. This miraculous occurrence served as a physical manifestation of her deep connection to the suffering of Christ.

Besides her stigmatization, Elizabeth was also gifted with inedia, the ability to survive extended periods without consuming any food except the Eucharist. This unique gift allowed her to sustain herself solely on the Body and Blood of Christ, demonstrating her intense devotion to the sacrament.

On 25 November 1420, Blessed Elizabeth Achler passed away in Reute, Germany, due to natural causes. She was buried in the church in Reute, and her tomb became a site of veneration for many faithful pilgrims.

Blessed Elizabeth Achler's sanctity and spiritual experiences were recognized over time. On 19 July 1766, Pope Clement XIII officially beatified her, confirming the veneration she had already received. Her life serves as an inspiring example of deep faith, devotion, and the transformative power of encountering the divine. She is honored and celebrated on her feast days, which are observed on 25 November and 9 December by the Franciscan order.