Elizabeth of the Trinity

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity (July 18, 1880 - November 9, 1906) was a French Carmelite nun and writer. She was born on a Sunday into a military family and baptized Marie Rolland Josephine Elizabeth Catez on July 22, the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, a fact which she treasured. Her name was Elizabeth Catez, and her family's fond nickname for her was not Lizzie or Beth, but Sabeth. Her father died when she was only seven. Elizabeth and her sister Marguerite were raised by her mother. When she was 21, Elizabeth entered a Carmelite monastery, over her mother’s objections.

Despite the objections, on 2nd August 1901, the postulant entered the Dijon Carmel and was given the name of Elizabeth of the Trinity. Mother Germaine was her prioress.

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity had true depth of prayer, was a mystic, a great lover of Jesus, and a real friend to her sisters in Carmel and her family. She spent six years as a Carmelite nun, but like St Thérèse of Lisieux she advanced in holiness in a very short time.

Though a hot-tempered child, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity possessed a deep love for God in her youth. She prayed often and wanted to give herself completely to God. “It is the whole Trinity who dwells in the soul who truly loves him, that is, keeping his word!” she wrote in the Last retreat 27-28.

Her prayer "O my God, Trinity whom I adore" the prayer to the Holy Trinity has been translated into thirty-four languages. Though noted for great spiritual growth, she was also plagued with periods of powerful darkness. But she has been given such titles as "the prophet of the presence of God" and "the saint of the divine indwelling".

Though St Elizabeth of the Trinity died at the age of 26 she has become a great mystic of our times. She is the patroness against illness and of those who are sick. She believed that “TO LOVE, and to be loved, is the deepest of all human needs; it alone gives meaning and a sense of fulfilment.”

St Elizabeth of the Trinity confided her purity to Saint Joseph in a very special way.

She was canonized on October 16th, 2016 by Pope Francis. The Church celebrates her feast day on 8^th November.