Quote of the day, 30 April: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

Would you please send me during the next few days the muslin that’s left from our first Communion dresses, and if there’s not very much of it, that dotted muslin that’s in a box in the attic (still to be delivered to Mother Sub-Prioress).

It’s for Saint Germaine, I’ll tell you about it (I’ll return it to you afterward).

Adieu, I only have time to kiss you before going to sleep.

In union, we have our Heaven within us, let’s live it.

I love you much, my Guite.

Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity

Letter 120 to her sister Marguerite Chevignard
Shortly before 15 June 1902

Note: In this letter, Elizabeth and her sister Guite plan a special gift for Mother Germaine, Prioress at the Carmel of Dijon. The gift would be presented on the feast day on her feast day. Elizabeth had made her First Holy Communion on 19 April 1891 at Saint Michael’s Parish in Dijon. Madame Catez later recalled“I will never forget the emotions of 19 April: I saw my child so recollected, so earnest, her tears did not cease to flow and I understood that God had taken possession of that heart so pure, so loving, which no longer would beat except for him” (De Meester, C 2017, Rien Moins Que Dieu).

Marguerite and Elisabeth Catez (c. 1899)

de Meester, C 2017, Rien moins que Dieu: sainte Elisabeth de la Trinité, Presses de la Renaissance, Paris.

Elizabeth of the Trinity, S 2003, The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel, translated from the French by Nash, A, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Detailed portrait of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, taken on 8 June 1891 after her Confirmation. Although photographed on the day of her Confirmation, the portrait also commemorates her First Holy Communion, received earlier on 19 April 1891. The setting is the garden of the Catez family home in Dijon. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites (used by permission).

⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
How can I live more consciously today in the “Heaven within me” that Elizabeth describes?
⬦ Join the conversation in the comments.

#FeastDay #FirstCommunion #heaven #MadameCatez #MargueriteChevignard #MotherGermaine #StElizabethOfTheTrinity

Oh, my darling, when you’re sad, tell Him, the One who knows everything, who understands everything, and who is the Guest of your soul: realize that He is within you as in a little Host. He loves His little Guite so much, I am telling you for Him. . . .

During the day, sometimes think of Him who lives in you and who so thirsts to be loved. It is close to Him that you will always find me!

Take your Crucifix, look, listen. You know our rendezvous is there, and don’t be troubled when you are occupied like you are now and can’t do all your exercises: you can pray to God while working, it’s enough to think of Him. Then all becomes sweet and easy since you’re not working alone, since Jesus is there.

Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity

Letter 93 to her sister Guite (excerpts)
12 September 1901

Elizabeth of the Trinity, S 2003, The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel, translated from the French by Nash, A, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This is a detail of a photo that was taken by professional photographer Mazillier on 22 December 1902, the day of Elizabeth’s canonical exam. Her mother hired the photographer to capture portraits for the special occasion when she was permitted to see her daughter outside the cloister one last time. The sisters at the turn loaned Elizabeth one of their black veils, which they pinned on top of her white veil; Elizabeth holds her profession crucifix in her hands. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/11/sabeth-ltr93/

#crucifix #emotions #familyLife #Jesus #MargueriteChevignard #prayer #SacredHost #spiritualDirection #StElizabethOfTheTrinity #stress #work