Though Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity lived only twenty-six years, barely five of them as a Carmelite, she has emerged as one of the most captivating and relevant mystics of our day. She has reached—and still reaches—far beyond the convent walls with her spiritual warmth and understanding of the interior life. On July 18, 1880, in a military camp in France, Elizabeth Catez was born. She was the first child of Captain Joseph and Marie Catez. After a most difficult labor, God blessed them with a healthy child on that Sunday morning. Death touched Elizabeth’s life early, first with the death of her beloved grandfather and then the sudden death of her father. This left Elizabeth, her mother and her sister, Marguerite, whom she affectionately called “Guite”, alone. Elizabeth was only seven at the time but the impact of this loss deeply affected her. It also created a bond among the three that would withstand even Elizabeth’s struggle for Carmel. Elizabeth was never a passive child; she was well equipped with a ‘will of iron’ and a hot temper that would make her fly into rages. But there are also accounts of her natural attraction towards prayer and reflection and great reverence towards the things of God. Her preparation for her first Holy Communion was marked by her great diligence and sincerity. It was to be an epoch event in her life. From the day of her first Holy Communion she was given the privilege of a deep understanding of the Indwelling Trinity. She had more self-control of her passions now; it was the beginning of an interior relationship with God that would lead her to Carmel. Elizabeth was not a withdrawn, serious girl but a lively, popular girl who loved parties and dancing. She was a gifted pianist and showed great talent and promise for a musical career. Through all of this she maintained a life of prayer and penance. She visited the sick and was active in her parish choir. She taught catechism to the children who worked in the factories. She was a natural leader and people of all ages were spontaneously drawn to her. At the age of fourteen, she began to feel the stirrings of a religious vocation, specifically to Carmel. While her mother was devoted to St. Teresa and had introduced Elizabeth to her writings, she was strongly against her beloved daughter entering Carmel. She saw that Elizabeth had a future in music and was sure she could make a good match for her attractive and talented daughter. Though Elizabeth received offers of marriage, nothing could lure her away from her dream of Carmel, not even the emotional pleas of her mother and the painful departure from the people she loved so dearly. Even on earth people could sense something of heaven about Elizabeth; it showed in her eyes and in her manner, it was as if she were seeing God. She said once that she played her piano as if Jesus was the only one who could hear her. It was clear that she began her life as a Carmelite long before she entered its gates. She saw holiness as everyone’s duty and she encouraged her friends and family to a life of perfection in the world. She was also a great lover of Scripture, most markedly, the Epistles of St. Paul; they became an integral part of her spiritual life at a time when the bible was largely unread by Catholics. Elizabeth was truly ahead of her time in these respects and the effects of her influence shaped the spiritual life of the people she touched. After a long struggle, her mother consented to Elizabeth’s desire to enter Carmel. She should have been overjoyed at her dream so long sought becoming a reality. Instead, her prayer became dry and god seemed distant; the guilt of leaving her mother and sister behind was great. She felt responsible for their suffering as they counted the days they had with her before she entered Carmel. Yet nothing could move her from her vocation. Fortunately, God brought her relief and she felt more confident than ever that God’s will was for her to be in Carmel. Elizabeth entered the Carmel of Dijon in France on August 2, 1902. Her happiness was great as in Carmel she found God all about her. “I find Him everywhere while doing the wash as well as while praying.” Her superior, Mother Germaine could see how very singular Elizabeth was and her fellow Carmelites saw in her a great potential for holiness. Elizabeth’s spiritual journey in Carmel is an interesting one. It was one of great growth and sometimes, extreme darkness. The time before her profession is arguably the most difficult period in her spiritual life. Mother Germaine expressed her misgivings about taking her vows in such a state. However, she found the strength to overcome the doubts plaguing her and she walked by faith in the impenetrable darkness. We know of her spirituality from her writings. The reflections she wrote on her retreats are most helpful to anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of Elizabeth’s relationship with God. It is also full of useful meditations and wonderful insights that enrich anyone who seeks a serious spiritual life and union with God. Even among the other nuns striving for contemplation she stood out as having an extraordinary understanding and an unusual depth of prayer. This is evident from how others sought her direction and advice. She directed her mother, sister, friends, priests and seminarians in their secular and religious life. She affirmed that all could achieve the holiness of saints within or without convent walls. Near the end of her earthly life she called herself by the name she desired to be called in heaven: “LAUDEM GLORIAE”, which means, ‘praise of glory’. Elizabeth wanted to glorify her sacred ‘Three’ for all eternity. Like so many saints before her, her goals were not limited to the temporal boundary of death. She felt called to an everlasting ministry: “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 suffered a painful death from Addison’s disease, at that time incurable. She lost her strength and became emaciated. All during her illness she remained heroically joyful and accepting of all God gave her to bear. Elizabeth viewed death not as end but as neer being separated from “my Three.” Her last words reflect this: “I am going to Light, to Love, to Life!” She died on November 9, 1906. After her death, Mother Germaine worked busily on her obituary circular, which is sent to various Carmels announcing the death of a nun and giving a little summary of her life. Along with Elizabeth’s writings, which she had written in obedience to Mother Germaine’s request, she used Elizabeth’s letters and remembrances from family and friends. The result was later to be named “Souvenirs”. After receiving the circular the other Carmels requested copies. Soon everybody wanted to know more about Sr. Elizabeth of the trinity. The circular was translated into numerous languages and was what called Elizabeth to the attention of Rome and, consequently, to her being beatified. She was officially declared Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity on November 25, 1984. Her feast day is November 8. Her writings are still inspiring people everywhere. Luckily we have her retreats, letters, and a diary to further know this soul that graced earth for so brief a time but who contributed so much in her short life. It is a wonderful testament of God’s grace and love for souls that she remains and instructs us. Who could have augured that Bl. Elizabeth would have such an impact on the world? Her influence cannot b measured. Her prayer “Holy Trinity Whom I Adore”, included in the Catechism, can only scratch the surface of her importance to the Church. Once an obscure Carmelite nun, the amazing increase of her popularity has made her a worldwide figure of mystic spirituality. She who once promised a friend that she would love him even more in Heaven, is now doing just that; she offers love to all the world, no doubt as a ‘Praise of Glory’. Biography by Veronica Ebert