Feast of The Most Holy Trinity

Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity

 
Feast Day:  November 8

The Carmelite Order celebrates the feast of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity on November 8th. Elizabeth was a beautiful soul who tasted the delights of contemplating God in the depths of her soul and invites us to do the same.

She was born July 18, 1880 in a military camp of Avor in the district of Farges-en-Septaine, France to a military family. Her father, Joseph Catez, was a captain of the 8th Squadron of the Equipment and Maintenance Corps. Her mother, Marie Rolland, was the daughter of a retired Commandant. The couple was blessed with two lovely daughters, Elizabeth and Marguerite. The family moved to Dijon in 1882. As a child, Elizabeth was described to possess a terrible temper. She was inclined to bouts of tantrums and her early photos show her flashing eyes. It was said that a Canon close to the family exclaimed after being a witness to these outburst, “this child will either grow up to be a devil or an angel.” She is described to be quick-tempered and unable to manage her anger well. This character flaw will be foremost in Elizabeth’s mind as she strove to grow deeper in the spiritual life.

But despite this weakness, Elizabeth also was gifted with good natural qualities. She was naturally affectionate and did not think twice to show it. When one reads her letters to friends, her warmth and affectionate nature come through. She was loved wherever she went and was popular among her friends. She loved to travel and loved beautiful, fashionable clothes. She was an accomplished pianist and her soul was sensitive to everything beautiful and harmonious. It was this artistic soul that will open up for her the discovery of a Presence within her.

When her father died, Mme. Catez, Elizabeth and Marguerite moved to a smaller house not far from a Carmelite monastery. In fact, it was so near to the house that Elizabeth could see the belfry of the chapel from her bedroom window. A great spiritual transformation occurred in Elizabeth during her First Communion in April of 1891. Her writings talk about her account of “being fed by Jesus.” This experience was the turning point in her life. From that moment onward, Elizabeth began a journey of self-discovery, self-mastery and self-conquest. She also discovered her vocation to Carmel.

It is wonderful to read Saint Elizabeth’s writings because they are full of love and expressions of great longings. Her description and re-discovery of the mystery of the Divine Indwelling in her soul is so vivid that one cannot help but be immersed in what she is describing. Her writings are lofty and mystical and she spoke in the language of the mystics. She truly lived out her personal mission of being the apostle of Divine Indwelling in Carmel. Her appeal is different from St. Therese and yet Elizabeth read Therese's "Story of a Soul" while a Postulant in her Dijon Carmel. In a photo taken of her at this time with the Community, she can be seen holding this book next to Mother Germaine, her Prioress. There is a certain euphoria and excitement surrounding St. Therese but Saint Elizabeth manifests a more subdued, serious and austere aura about her. She was very heavily influenced by the writings of Saint Paul and most, if not all of her writings, are meditations and reflections on the works of this great apostle to the gentiles. It was in one of St. Paul's letters that she discovered her personal mission in Carmel: to be "laudem gloriae", to be God's Praise of Glory. Being a praise of glory for Elizabeth meant becoming "another humanity in which Christ can renew the whole of His mystery." She expounds on St. Paul's cry of "filling up in my body what is still lacking in the sufferings of Christ." All these sentiments were not driven only by a pure sense of asceticism but more so because she understood that love is proven by the crucible of the Cross. " A Carmelite is a soul who has gazed on Christ Crucified, who has seen Him offering Himself to His Father as a victim for souls; and entering into herself under this great vision of Christ's charity, she has understood the passion of His soul and desired to give herself as He did!"

Elizabeth of the Trinity teaches me that God dwells in silence. The Rule of Carmel teaches that "your strength will lie in silence and hope." When asked by her Prioress what her favorite point of the Rule was, she referred to the practice of silence as indicated in the holy Rule. It is in silence that we must seek Him and we have to acquire that virtue of silence in order to allow God to communicate Himself to us. Being silent is not just the absence of words. Being silent more so means being abandoned, docile, submissive to the Spirit so He can accomplish his works in us. Being silent means having a “single eye” to view all things.  A silent and peaceful soul is one who is convinced that nothing happens by accident, no second causes, that God ordains all, and that everything is  grace. A noisy soul is one that constantly swims upstream, who constantly sees the danger behind every sacrifice, who measures every step so she doesn’t fall. It reminds me of the song The Rose -“it’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance, it’s the dream afraid of waking that never takes a chance, it’s the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give, and the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live."

Elizabeth died of Addison’s disease on November 9, 1906. She was beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II on November 25, 1984 and canonized by Pope Francis on October 16, 2016.   Her dying words were “I am going to Light, to Love, to Life.”  In her own words:

“Let us live with God as with a Friend. Let us make our faith a living thing, so as to remain in communion with Him through everything. That is how saints are made. We carry our heaven within us, since He who completely satisfies every longing of the glorified souls in the light of the Beatific Vision, is giving Himself to us in faith and mystery. It is the same thing. It seems to me I have found my heaven on earth, since heaven is God and God is in my soul. The day I understood that, everything became clear to me, and I wish I could whisper this secret to those I love in order that they also might cling closely to God through everything.

Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, pray for us!

A New Saint in Carmel!

SAINT ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY!  The much-awaited desire of many Carmelites has now come to pass on October 16, 2016 when Pope Francis enrolled Elizabeth in the list of canonized Saints of the Catholic Church.  This gives me much joy and somehow also brings me back to my initial journey in the land of Carmel.  In another blog article, I recalled how in August 1984, fresh from college, I stumbled into a Carmelite monastery.  The "accidental" discovery led me to a lifelong friendship with the nuns and consequently my frequent visits to them.  I still remember one day while cleaning the monastery chapel, I came across an information board for the public with a small newspaper clipping announcing the beatification of a 26-year old Carmelite who died in Dijon, France by Pope John Paul II on November 25.  On the board was a photo of a young woman seated in front of a piano as if she had just finished or about to begin a piano score.  She was looking straight at the camera and it felt like she was looking straight at me.  It was Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity or Elizabeth Marie Catez in the world.  That was the beginning of my fascination with Elizabeth.

Even though I love many of our Saints- St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Teresa of Jesus, Saint Teresa of Jesus of Los Andes and many more, there is something about St. Elizabeth that is so attractive.  Maybe she speaks to my contemplative and introspective side, my love of silence and the hidden life of Carmel.  She embodies that mysterious workings of grace in the interior recesses of the soul and that unwavering gaze fixed on Jesus alone.  She holds up the contemplative ideal of the Carmelite life which calls us always to live in the presence of God after the example of our father St. Elijah.  St. Elizabeth exemplifies the purity of heart Carmelites are called to have, always seeing with the "single-eye" of faith, with no second-causes, all that we experience in life. She lived to show us that we can carry our "cells" wherever we are, all we have to do is find the Trinity dwelling within us.. to recollect ourselves and enter into the depths where the Three is waiting for us.  No matter- cloister or the world.  Much like the silence of Our Lady. What an anticipation of the Second Vatican Council's call to universal holiness!

This is a time where it is especially good to be a Carmelite.  We are reminded once again that the teachings and lives of our Carmelite saints are still  relevant.  Carmel is a life of prayer... and prayer never ever goes out of style.  In this crazy world, we can be consoled in the thought that God never sleeps. That He is always with us. That we don't have to look for Him in all the wrong places.  He is within us- "the kingdom of God is within you"- what is needed is silence and faith.

Elizabeth died of Addison’s disease on November 9, 1906. Her dying words were “I am going to Light, to Love, to Life.”  In her own words:

“Let us live with God as with a Friend. Let us make our faith a living thing, so as to remain in communion with Him through everything. That is how saints are made. We carry our heaven within us, since He who completely satisfies every longing of the glorified souls in the light of the Beatific Vision, is giving Himself to us in faith and mystery. It is the same thing. It seems to me I have found my heaven on earth, since heaven is God and God is in my soul. The day I understood that, everything became clear to me, and I wish I could whisper this secret to those I love in order that they also might cling closely to God through everything.

Canonization Coming Soon!

The Transfiguration

Photo: Flicker.com

"And thou, Father bend down towards Thy poor little creature and overshadow her, beholding in her none other than Thy Beloved Son in whom Thou art well pleased." Bl Elizabeth of the Trinity

This is a constant refrain in Blessed Elizabeth's sentiments and consequently her writings.  The idea that by baptism we were consecrated to God and that the  life of the Trinity was infused into our souls and we became the Indwelling of the Trinity.  As a consequence, we share in the life of Jesus- a life marked by His Passion, Death and Resurrection.  She identifies with St. Paul's sentiments of predestination according to the life and destiny of Jesus, the "first of many brothers." 
"We have been predestined by the decree of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we may be the praise of His glory."  " It is St. Paul who tells us this", exclaims Elizabeth.  

The Feast of Visitation

"When I read in the Gospel that "Mary went in haste to the hill country of Judea," to perform her loving service to her cousin Elizabeth, I imagine her passing by, so beautiful, so calm and so majestic, so absorbed in recollection of the Word of God within her.  Like Him, her prayer was always this: "Ecce.  Here I am."  Who? "The servant of the Lord," the lowliest of His creatures: she, His Mother!  Her humility was so real, for she was always forgetful of self, free from all anxiety.  And she could sing,"The Almighty has done great things for me; henceforth all people will call me blessed."  

Blessed Elizabeth

"Remain in Me"

Continuation- Heaven In Faith

3. "Remain in Me." It is the Word of God who gives this order, expresses this wish. Remain in Me, not for a few moments, a few hours which must pass away, but "remain...." permanently, habitually, Remain in Me, pray in Me, adore in Me, love in Me, suffer in Me, work and act in Me. remain in Me so that you may be able to encounter anyone or anything; penetrate further still into these depths. This is truly the "solitude into which God wants to allure that soul that He may speak to it," as the prophet sang.

4. In order to understand this very mysterious saying, we must not, so to speak, stop at the surface, but enter ever deeper into the divine being through recollection. "I pursue my course," exclaimed St. Paul; so must we daily descend this pathway of the Abyss which is God; let us slide down this slope in wholly loving confidence. "Abyss calls to abyss." It is there in the very depths that the divine impact takes place, where the abyss of our nothingness encounters the Abyss of mercy, the immensity of the all of God. There we will find the strength to die to ourselves and, losing all vestige of self, we will be changed into love... "Blessed are those who die in the Lord!"

to be continued....

When She Was Among Us...

It is easy to imagine Elizabeth of the Trinity in these places graced by her presence. Contemplating the lives of Saints does wonder to our souls because it reminds us that they were human as you and I.

"A Carmelite in the World"

"Saint Teresa says that the soul is like a crystal in which the Divinity is reflected. I so love this comparison, and when I see the sun invade our cloisters with its rays, I think that God invades the soul that seeks only Him in the same way! Listen to what St. John of the Cross says: "O soul, most beautiful of creatures, who desire so ardently to know that place where your Beloved dwells in order to seek Him and unite yourself to Him; you yourself are the retreat where He takes refuge, the dwelling where He hides Himself." That is the whole life of Carmel; to live in Him, then, all sacrifices, all immolations become divine, for through everything the soul sees Him whom it loves and everything leads it to Him; it is a continual heart to heart exchange! You see that you can already be a Carmelite in your heart. Love silence and prayer for this is the essence of the life of Carmel. Ask the Queen of Carmel to teach you to adore Jesus in profound recollection."

Blessed Elizabeth to Germaine de Gemeaux
September 14, 1902

"All My Sisters!"

(First Row: Elizabeth as Postulant & Mother Germaine holding "Story of a Soul"-autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux)


Community life is a sharing of common goals in prayer, ministry and service. It is a visible pledge of our relationship with Christ, with each other and with the whole Church, the People of God. Community living is an expression of faith manifested in the pursuit of a call heard in the silence of a heart, a manifestation of hope in the promise of life and happiness in God, and the struggle of living the life of charity commissioned to us by Jesus amidst human imperfections and limitations. It is a visible sign of how God's grace can triumph over human frailties and accomplish the works of God - works of love, joy, charity- among the Sisters and God's people.
(carmelite sisters website)

Community living is one of the most challenging consequence of following Christ. It calls for self-forgetfulness, faith and humility to accept one's weaknesses and failures in the daily struggle to love others as Jesus loved them. It also calls us to learn to accept ourselves as others see us. For all it's difficulties and challenges, living with others can be a source of joy, strength and spiritual growth, a source of inspiration and edification, a place to journey together as sisters and family in the Lord.

"When the time approached for her to receive the religious habit, Mother Prioress said to her: "You still will have much to acquire, perhaps it will be postponed." Elizabeth answered: 'It is true, my Mother, that I am quite imperfect, but I believe that God wants to do me this favor. As for my sisters, how can they refuse me? They must love me for I love them so!"

Mother Germaine's testimony (Blessed Elizabeth's Prioress)

"I Have Nothing Else But Him"

On January 11, 1903, on the Feast of Epiphany, Sr. Elizabeth of the Trinity pronounced her Solemn Vows in the Chapter Room which was decorated with flowers. It was a private ceremony and so only her religious Community was present. She received her Profession Crucifix from Mother Prioress as a sign of her new status as the Spouse of the Crucified.

"Who could describe the joy of my soul when, on contemplating the crucifix which I received after my profession and which our Reverend Mother placed "as a seal on my heart," I could say to myself: "At last He is all mine and I am all His. I have nothing else but Him. He is my All!" And now, I have only one desire, to love Him, to love Him all the time, to be zealous for His honor as a true bride, to give Him joy, to make Him happy by preparing a dwelling and a refuge for Him in my soul, so that there He may forget, by the strength of my love, all the abominations of the wicked!"

Blessed Elizabeth
February 15, 1903 (letter 156)

" I Closed My Eyes... "

Abandonment- that is what surrenders us to God. I am quite young, but it seems to me that I have suffered much sometimes. Oh, then, when everything was dark, when the present was so painful and the future seemed even more gloomy to me, I closed my eyes and abandoned myself like a child in the arms of this Heavenly Father... We look at ourselves too much, we want to see and understand, we do not have enough confidence in Him who envelops us in His love. We must not stop before the cross and regard it in itself, but recollecting ourselves in the light of faith, we must rise higher and think that it is the instrument which is obeying divine Love. "One thing alone is necessary; Mary has chosen the better part which shall not be taken from her." This better part, which seems to be my privilege in my beloved solitude of Carmel, is offered by God to every baptized soul. He offers it to you... in the midst of your
cares and .. concerns. Believe that His whole desire is to lead you ever deeper into Himself. Surrender yourself and all your preoccupations to Him..."


Blessed Elizabeth
July 25, 1902 (letter 129)

Carmel of Dijon Refectory during Elizabeth's time

"... You are to eat whatever may have been given you in a common refectory, listening together meanwhile to a reading from Holy Scripture where that can be done without difficulty."

Rule of St. Albert, Chapter 7

The Carmel

Carmel of Dijon


"There, in the depths of my heart, in the Heaven of my soul, I love to find Him, since He never leaves me. "God in me, I in Him." Oh, that is my life! Did I ever tell you what my name will be in Carmel: "Marie Elizabeth of the Trinity." I think this name indicates a special vocation; isn't it beautiful? I so love this mystery of the Holy Trinity; it is an abyss in which I lose myself!"

Blessed Elizabeth
June 14, 1901 (letter 62)

Alone with Him

"I sleep deeply on my straw mattress, something I never experienced before. The first night I did not feel very secure and I thought that before morning i would roll out of one side or the other, but nothing happened, and now my bed seems delightful to me. If you only knew how quickly time passes in Carmel, and yet it seems to me that I have always lived in this dear house. I can't find words to express my happiness. Here, there is no longer anything but Him. He is All. He suffices and we live by Him alone. I find Him everywhere, while doing the wash as well as while praying. Just picture to yourself Elizabeth in her little cell which is so dear to her; it is our sanctuary, just for HIM and for me... "
Blessed Elizabeth
September 11, 1901 (letter 91)

"... Each of you is to have a separate cell, situated as the lie of the land you propose to occupy may dictate, and allotted by the disposition of the Prior with the agreement of the other brothers, or the more mature among them"- Rule, Chapter 6

" Each one of you is to stay in his own cell or nearby, pondering the Lord's law day and night and keeping watch at his prayers unless attending to some other duty." - Rule, Chapter 10

Solitude and Silence

In our modern age of hustle and bustle, of computer and networking, of 24/7 media onslaught and hectic pace of life, silence is a precious commodity. Even if one lives in a convent as I do, silence and solitude are values often misunderstood. Our western culture measures productivity by how busy we get and success by how efficient we are at completing a project. I find that in active ministry this is no exception. But there seems to be a double- standard. When a lay person works hard for their living, we call them materialistic and workaholics. If a Religious becomes obsessed with work, we call it holy dedication and "for the love of God and Community." As most of us work in the active world, we can take solace in these words of Blessed Elizabeth.

"As I cannot break from the world and live in solitude, give me at least solitude of heart... Solitude and silence are so precious ...I realize that one can enjoy interior solitude and silence, for what can distract a heart possessed by love? Noise reaches no further than the surface, deep down there is only Him! And He alone can satisfy our hearts.. Exterior silence is not the most necessary; in certain circumstances it is even impossible. Then the soul's resource is to take refuge within itself, in that interior solitude which alone is necessary for union with God. But outward silence must be sought as much as possible, because it helps interior silence and normally leads to it: the love of silence leads to the silence of love.
God in me and I in Him, that is my life!... but for the vision, we always possess Him as the Blessed do in heaven. How wonderful is this presence of God in us, in the inner sanctuary of one's soul! There we always find Him... Let us try never to leave Him alone, so that our lives may be an unceasing prayer."

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity

Friends and Friendships

Elizabeth with her friends (St. Elizabeth first on right)



Elizabeth was endowed with a rare combination of gaiety and contemplative spirit. She could be very engaged in earthly friendships and still was very conscious of the Presence of God within her. Her gregarious and charming personality won for her intimate friends who testified to her unique spirituality. "Elizabeth had a rare and delightful talent as a pianist; she felt music deeply. It seems to me that I can still hear her playing "Le chant du nautonier." She was very lively and endowed with great charm, not a trace of austerity; she enthusiastically took part in the diversions of our age..." testified a friend named Manitin Auburtin. Listen to this letter Elizabeth wrote in the Spring of 1901 to a friend: "We went to buy the material for Marie-Louise at the new shirtmaker's on the Rue de la Liberte; there was a nice choice. Afterwards, Mme. Hallo took us for a snack at the pastry shop. After dinner Charles gave us a concert; we ran through The Barber of Seville. I will wait until you return to see about the hats. Besides, they can be made so quickly in the Parisian styles that it won't take me long. Have a good time! The horse show is going on now; it seems that it is outstanding this year... Nothing new to relate except for MAdeleine Eugster's marriage to M. Marchal, the handsome lieutenant of the Dragoons.. Do you remember Cauvel, that accessory shop in Paris? One of his daughters, who married the Brother's cook a few days ago, lives there; her husband, the famous chef, is dreadfully fat: poor boy, it is sad at his age!"

It is interesting to read this part of her letter without being struck with how human she was! Her language and interests were that of a young woman tackling the current interests of her days. What made Elizabeth live in the everyday and still remain at the feet of the Master, like Mary, listening to his words? Elizabeth herself gave us the answer: "I think nothing can distract us from Him when we act only for Him, always in His holy presence, under that divine gaze which penetrates the inmost depths of the soul. Even in the midst of the world we can listen to Him in the silence of a heart which wants to belong only to Him!"

The Pain of Discipleship

These words of Elizabeth before entering Carmel can be a source of consolation to those who leave home and family to answer the call of God to Religious life. Leaving loved ones is never easy even if we know we leave them for God. The pain of separation is all too real for anyone but for someone entering the Carmelite cloister, with its strict rule on enclosure, it was felt as a form of death. Elizabeth felt the same way. When St. Teresa of Avila left her father, she wrote: "I felt like every bone in my body was being torn apart." But GOD is never outdone in generosity. Just like a mother who feels the pain of labor, that pain is changed to joy when her child is born. Let us listen to Blessed Elizabeth as she describes her own experience:

"How good God is! How wonderful it is to give oneself to Him and to abandon oneself to His will. When He wills anything, He is able to overcome all obstacles, and smooth away all difficulties. I had entrusted all my affairs to Him and asked Him to speak to my darling mother Himself. He did it so well that there was nothing left for me to say. Poor Mother! She is admirable! She understands that God wants me and that nothing can be done about it, and so she will allow me to enter Carmel in two months time. you must not imagine I do not feel the sacrifice. I offer it up to God every time I think of the parting to come. Could I offer a greater sacrifice than a mother like mine? He understands. He knows it is for His sake and He upholds me. O what Love! this one word says everything. To live for love means to live only for Him, in Him, by Him, and is to have, already here on earth, a foretaste of Paradise."

Mary, Gate of Heaven ("Janua Coeli")

Carmel is totally Mary in it's life, history and spirituality. The early hermits of Mt. Carmel dedicated themselves under her patronage and erected an oratory in her honor at Mount Carmel. They were henceforth known as "The Brothers of Blessed Mary of Mount Carmel." The Carmelites relate to Mary as Queen, Mother, Sister, Most Pure Virgin and Model of discipleship. These are not just devotional themes but the product of a long relationship down the centuries.

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, being a true daughter of Carmel, also had a special devotion to Mary. She particularly mentions her in her writings and meditations. She loved to meditate on Mary at the Visitation, when Mary after having consented to the message of the angel, hastened to visit her cousin Elizabeth. "In what peace, in what recollection Mary lent herself to everything she did! How even the most trivial things were divinized by her! For through it all the Virgin remained the adorer of the gift of God! This does not prevent her from spending herself outwardly when it was a matter of charity- never did the ineffable vision that she contemplated within herself in any way diminish her outward charity."

She also loved to compare her vocation to Carmel with the spiritual motherhood of Mary. Through her prayers and sufferings, she wanted to save souls for her beloved Christ and to be "another humanity" where she can reincarnate the mysteries of Christ.
During Elizabeth's last illness, she often referred to Mary as "Janua Coeli" (Gate of Heaven). Realizing that her time on earth was short, she entrusted herself to the care of the Mother of Carmel, who will lead her on to enter the gates of Paradise.

As the Carmelite Order celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16th, we listen to the uplifting words of one of her illustrious daughters, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, as she shares with us her own thoughts on our Lady:

"No one has penetrated the mystery of Christ in all its depths except the Blessed Virgin.. compared with the light given to Our Lady, the saints remain in shadow. The secret which she kept and pondered in her heart, no tongue can tell, no pen record. This Mother is going to form my soul so that her little child may be a living, striking image of her "First-born", the Eternal Son, the one who was the perfect praise of His Father's glory. When I read in the Gospel that Mary went with haste into the hill country of Judah to fulfill her duty of charity to her cousin Elizabeth, I see her pass on her way, so beautiful, so calm and majestic, so recollected in the presence of God within her! Her prayer, like His, was always "Ecce!" Here I am!" Who?.. "the handmaid of the Lord," the least of His creatures, she, His Mother!
She was truly humble because she was always oblivious of self, unconscious of self, freed from self!... She is also the Queen of Martyrs, but again it was her soul that was "pierced by the sword" for with her everything takes place within... How beautiful she is to contemplate... so enveloped in a majesty which breathes forth strength and gentleness... She is there at the foot of the Cross, and my Master says to me; "Behold your Mother." He gives her to me as my Mother! She is still there to teach me to suffer as He did, to make known to me the last utterances of His soul, which she alone, His Mother, was able to catch. It is Our Lady, full of light, pure with the divine purity, who will take me by the hand to lead me into heaven, that realm of dazzling brightness."

To Surrender to Love

"Oh how good it is in silence
To listen to Him over and over,
To enjoy the peace of His presence,
and then to surrender wholly to His love.

O Lamb, so pure and so meek,
You my All, my only One,
How well you know that your fiancee,
Your little one, hungers greatly for You.

She hungers to feed upon her Master,
Above all to be consumed by Him,
To surrender fully to Him her whole being
So she may be totally taken.

Oh, that I may be possessed by You;
One who lives by You alone,
Yours, your living host,
Consumed by you on the Cross."

(Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity)