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The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity, vol. 2 (featuring Her Letters from Carmel)
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity (Elizabeth Catez) is a mystic of our times, who entered Carmel in 1901 at the age of twenty-one, and died there five years later. Her biblical spirituality, based on the epistles of her "dear Saint Paul" and the mystery of the divine indwelling, has inspired countless Christians.
This second of three volumes of her Complete Works contains all of Elizabeth's surviving letters from Carmel, along with 8 photos. In simple and tender language, writing to friends and family, Elizabeth returns again and again to the great themes of her spirituality: the indwelling Trinity, silence and solitude, living by love, becoming a "praise of glory" (laudem gloriae) by sharing in the dying and rising of Jesus Christ. Here too we find many of her best-known sayings, e.g., "I have found my heaven on earth, for heaven is God, and God is in my soul."
In his introductions and careful notes, Father Conrad De Meester, O.C.D., explains the background of each of Elizabeth's letters from Carmel, most of which have never before appeared in English. Anne Englund Nash continues the style set in the first volume of the Complete Works, presenting a translation that reflects both the literary nuances and spirit of the original French texts.
This second of three volumes of her Complete Works contains all of Elizabeth's surviving letters from Carmel, along with 8 photos. In simple and tender language, writing to friends and family, Elizabeth returns again and again to the great themes of her spirituality: the indwelling Trinity, silence and solitude, living by love, becoming a "praise of glory" (laudem gloriae) by sharing in the dying and rising of Jesus Christ. Here too we find many of her best-known sayings, e.g., "I have found my heaven on earth, for heaven is God, and God is in my soul."
In his introductions and careful notes, Father Conrad De Meester, O.C.D., explains the background of each of Elizabeth's letters from Carmel, most of which have never before appeared in English. Anne Englund Nash continues the style set in the first volume of the Complete Works, presenting a translation that reflects both the literary nuances and spirit of the original French texts.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1995
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About the author
Elizabeth of the Trinity
24 books14 followersElizabeth of the Trinity, O.C.D. was a French Discalced Carmelite nun, mystic and spiritual writer. She has been beatified by the Catholic Church.
Catez had a terrible temper as a child. After receiving her First Holy Communion in 1891 she became more controlled and had a deeper understanding of God and the world. She also gained a profound understanding of the Trinity. Elizabeth visited the sick and sang in the church choir. She taught religion to children who worked in factories.
Catez began to be interested in entering the Discalced Carmelites, although her mother was against the idea. Men had asked for Elizabeth's hand in marriage, but she declined, because her dream was to enter the Carmelite monastery that was located 200 meters from her home.
Elizabeth entered the Dijon Carmel on August 2, 1901. She said, "I find Him everywhere; while doing the wash as well as while praying."
At the end of her life, she began to call herself Laudem Gloriæ. Elizabeth had wanted to be called that in Heaven because it means "praise of glory". She said, "I think that in Heaven my mission will be to draw souls by helping them to go out of themselves in order to cling to God by a wholly simple and loving movement, and to keep them in this great silence within which will allow God to communicate Himself to them and to transform them into Himself."
Elizabeth died at the age of 26 from Addison's disease, which in the early 20th century had no treatment. Even though her death was painful, Elizabeth still accepted that God gave her that gift and was grateful. Her last words were, "I am going to Light, to Love, to Life!"
Elizabeth was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 25, 1984. Her feast day is celebrated on November 8. Her best-known prayer is "Holy Trinity Whom I Adore"[1] which she wrote out of her love of the Trinity. Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity is a patron of illness, sick people and loss of parents.
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[1]
O my God, Trinity whom I adore, let me entirely forget myself that I may abide in You, still and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity; let nothing disturb my peace nor separate me from You, O my unchanging God, but that each moment may take me further into the depths of Your mystery! Pacify my soul! Make it Your heaven, Your beloved home and place of Your repose; let me never leave You there alone, but may I be ever attentive, ever alert in my faith, ever adoring and all given up to Your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified for love, would that I might be for You a spouse of Your heart! I would anoint You with glory, I would love You – even unto death! Yet I sense my frailty and ask You to adorn me with Yourself; identify my soul with all the movements of Your soul, submerge me, overwhelm me, substitute Yourself in me that my life may become but a reflection of Your life. Come into me as Adorer, Redeemer and Saviour.
O Eternal Word, Word of my God, would that I might spend my life listening to You, would that I might be fully receptive to learn all from You; in all darkness, all loneliness, all weakness, may I ever keep my eyes fixed on You and abide under Your great light; O my Beloved Star, fascinate me so that I may never be able to leave Your radiance.
O Consuming Fire, Spirit of Love, descend into my soul and make all in me as an incarnation of the Word, that I may be to Him a super-added humanity wherein He renews His mystery; and You O Father, bestow Yourself and bend down to Your little creature, seeing in her only Your beloved Son in whom You are well pleased.
O my `Three’, my All, my Beatitude, infinite Solitude, Immensity in whom I lose myself, I give myself to You as a prey to be consumed; enclose Yourself in me that I may be absorbed in You so as to contemplate in Your light the abyss of Your Splendour!
Catez had a terrible temper as a child. After receiving her First Holy Communion in 1891 she became more controlled and had a deeper understanding of God and the world. She also gained a profound understanding of the Trinity. Elizabeth visited the sick and sang in the church choir. She taught religion to children who worked in factories.
Catez began to be interested in entering the Discalced Carmelites, although her mother was against the idea. Men had asked for Elizabeth's hand in marriage, but she declined, because her dream was to enter the Carmelite monastery that was located 200 meters from her home.
Elizabeth entered the Dijon Carmel on August 2, 1901. She said, "I find Him everywhere; while doing the wash as well as while praying."
At the end of her life, she began to call herself Laudem Gloriæ. Elizabeth had wanted to be called that in Heaven because it means "praise of glory". She said, "I think that in Heaven my mission will be to draw souls by helping them to go out of themselves in order to cling to God by a wholly simple and loving movement, and to keep them in this great silence within which will allow God to communicate Himself to them and to transform them into Himself."
Elizabeth died at the age of 26 from Addison's disease, which in the early 20th century had no treatment. Even though her death was painful, Elizabeth still accepted that God gave her that gift and was grateful. Her last words were, "I am going to Light, to Love, to Life!"
Elizabeth was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 25, 1984. Her feast day is celebrated on November 8. Her best-known prayer is "Holy Trinity Whom I Adore"[1] which she wrote out of her love of the Trinity. Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity is a patron of illness, sick people and loss of parents.
----
[1]
O my God, Trinity whom I adore, let me entirely forget myself that I may abide in You, still and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity; let nothing disturb my peace nor separate me from You, O my unchanging God, but that each moment may take me further into the depths of Your mystery! Pacify my soul! Make it Your heaven, Your beloved home and place of Your repose; let me never leave You there alone, but may I be ever attentive, ever alert in my faith, ever adoring and all given up to Your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified for love, would that I might be for You a spouse of Your heart! I would anoint You with glory, I would love You – even unto death! Yet I sense my frailty and ask You to adorn me with Yourself; identify my soul with all the movements of Your soul, submerge me, overwhelm me, substitute Yourself in me that my life may become but a reflection of Your life. Come into me as Adorer, Redeemer and Saviour.
O Eternal Word, Word of my God, would that I might spend my life listening to You, would that I might be fully receptive to learn all from You; in all darkness, all loneliness, all weakness, may I ever keep my eyes fixed on You and abide under Your great light; O my Beloved Star, fascinate me so that I may never be able to leave Your radiance.
O Consuming Fire, Spirit of Love, descend into my soul and make all in me as an incarnation of the Word, that I may be to Him a super-added humanity wherein He renews His mystery; and You O Father, bestow Yourself and bend down to Your little creature, seeing in her only Your beloved Son in whom You are well pleased.
O my `Three’, my All, my Beatitude, infinite Solitude, Immensity in whom I lose myself, I give myself to You as a prey to be consumed; enclose Yourself in me that I may be absorbed in You so as to contemplate in Your light the abyss of Your Splendour!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 4, 2021
Reading St. Elizabeth's letters, I feel like I've made a new friend. Her letters are not just full of spiritual encouragement and plenty of references to Scripture, but also practical advice on how to live a fulfilling & meaningful life. Her writing is also beautiful and very evocative. A must read, in my book.
December 17, 2025
It was especially moving to read the letters she wrote in the last months of her life. It felt as though I was at her bedside in Carmel, journeying with her through her suffering towards the eternal joy of heaven. There are many beautiful theological insights and delightfully human elements present throughout these letters, whose tone and focus change subtly but significantly depending on St. Elizabeth's relationship to the recipient and the circumstances in which she was writing.
August 3, 2010
Like her predecessors, St. Teresa and St. Therese, through her letters one experiences somewhat God's love pouring through her to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews