Carmelite Quotes14 June: SAINT ELISHA (Not observed in 2026)
UNOFFICIAL TEXT*
June 14
SAINT ELISHA
Prophet
Optional Memorial
“Elijah came upon Elisha and threw his cloak over him. Immediately Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah as his attendant” (cf. 1 Kgs 19:19–21). Elisha was filled with the spirit of Elijah; among the many signs he performed, he cured Naaman of Leprosy and raised a dead child to life. He lived among the sons of the prophets and in God’s name, he frequently intervened in the affairs of the Israelites. Mindful of its origin on Mount Carmel, the Carmelite Order desired to perpetuate the memory of the great prophets’ presence and deeds through the liturgical celebration of St. Elijah and Elisha. Thus the General Chapter of 1399 decreed the celebration of the feast of St. Elisha. In 2023, the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments extended the celebration to the Teresian Carmel at the rank of an optional memorial. Through his fidelity to the true God and by his service to God’s people, St. Elisha effectively illustrates the meaning of the prophetic office in our day.
Invitatory
Ant. Let us worship the Lord who has worked wonders through the prophets.
Office of Readings
HYMN
Let all the court of heaven above
and all the creatures here on earth
give glory to almighty God
and at Elisha’s fame rejoice.
‘Twas he the great Elijah chose
endowed with wisdom’s gift by God,
and called him from his daily tasks
to lead the band of Carmelites.
While living still upon this earth,
he yet had power over hell;
a soul he summoned from the grave
and to its earthly form restored.
He cured the wounds of leprosy
of Náaman the Syrian
and when he offered rich rewards,
would not exchange his gift for gold.
His heart beheld with deep concern
the widow woman’s poverty;
he caused the oil to multiply,
and freed her from the weight of debt.
After his body was consumed
and to the tomb in peace consigned,
its very touch at once revived
others, themselves deprived of life.
Unto the one and triune Lord
be praise forever and acclaim;
may he accept Elisha’s prayers
and lead us to our home above.
Amen.
L.M.
Congratuletur curia
Tr. Joachim Smet, O.Carm.
Psalmody
Antiphons and psalms from the weekday.
V/. I will raise up a prophet for them from among their brethren.
R/. He shall tell them all that I command him.
The First Reading
2 Kings 2:1–15
A reading from the Second book of Kings
Elijah is taken up to heaven
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. “Stay here, please,” Elijah said to Elisha. “The Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live,” Elisha replied, “I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel, where the guild prophets went out to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know it,” he replied. “Keep still.”
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, Elisha, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.” “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live,” Elisha replied, “I will not leave you.” They went on to Jericho, where the guild prophets approached Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master from over you today?” “Yes, I know it,” he replied. “Keep still.”
Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here; The Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live,” Elisha replied, “I will not leave you.” And so the two went on together. Fifty of the guild prophets followed, and when the two stopped at the Jordan, stood facing them at a distance. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water, which divided and both crossed over on dry ground.
When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask for whatever I may do for you before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” “You have asked something that is not easy,” he replied. “Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not.” As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha saw it happen he cried out, “My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!” But when he could no longer see him, Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two.
Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle which had fallen from him, and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan. Wielding the mantle which had fallen from Elijah, he struck the water in his turn and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.
The guild prophets in Jericho, who were on the other side, saw him and said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They went to meet him, bowing to the ground before him.
Responsory
R/. Elisha saw it and he cried out, “My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and driver!” * And the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha.
V/. Elisha said: “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” * And the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha.
The Second Reading
Sermo 87
From a Sermon of Saint Ambrose, bishop
The healing of the waters, a type of the Church
What shall we say about the merits of Elisha? The first thing we praise him for is that he wanted to surpass his father [Elijah] in grace, for he asked for more than Elijah was able to bestow. Although he was greedy in his request, he was nonetheless worthy to have it granted. For while he demanded more from his father than Elijah had to give, through his own merits he enabled him to bestow more than he possessed.
Following his master’s ascent, when Elisha arrived in Jericho, he was invited by the townspeople to remain with them; they said: this is an excellent site for the town, except that the water is bad and causes sterility. He then asked for a clay jar, filled it with salt, and went to the place where the water was coming up out of the ground; he threw it into the water saying: “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have purified these waters; never again shall death or sterility come from them.’ ” And those waters remain pure even to this day.
So we see how remarkable Elisha’s merits are: in response to the citizens’ hospitality his very first gift to them was great fruitfulness. For by healing the water, he provided for their posterity. What he did was not for the benefit of any one person, or any one family: it was for all the people of the entire city. Had he delayed, they would all have been sterile and grown old without descendants, and the city would have been left deserted. Thus, by healing the water Elisha healed the people; and by blessing the spring, he provided them as it were with a fountain of life. For just as through his blessing good water came forth from the unseen veins in the earth, so too from the seclusion of their wombs mothers gave birth to healthy children.
For Elisha did not bless only the water that was already flowing into the spring’s basin, but rather all the water without distinction which was yet to flow little by little from the earth’s hidden moisture even until now. As Scripture has it, Elisha blessed the place where the water was coming up out of the earth, to indicate that it was the flowing water rather than the basin of the spring that he had sanctified. Thus, as the Apostle Paul says, all these things happened as signs; let us try to discover, therefore, the truth contained in this sign.
The Church is the sterile city which, before the coming of Christ, suffered from sterility due to the pollution of the waters—that is, to the idolatry of the Gentiles—and was unable to bring forth children for God. But when Christ came and took on the fragile clay of the human body, he healed the pollution of the waters; that is, he banished the idolatries of the Gentiles, and immediately the church, which had been sterile, began to be fertile.
Thus the Apostle also says: Rejoice, you barren one who bear no children; break into song, you stranger to the pains of childbirth! For many are the children of the wife deserted—far more than of her who has a husband! For Christ brought to birth more children from the Church which had been sterile than he had from the synagogue which had been fertile.
Responsory
R/. Elisha went out to the spring and threw salt into it, saying: “Thus says the Lord, ‘I have purified this water. * Never again shall death or miscarriage spring from it.’ “
V/. And the water has stayed pure even to this day, just as Elisha prophesied. * Never again shall death or miscarriage spring from it.
Prayer
O God,
protector and redeemer of mankind,
whose glories have been proclaimed
through the wonders accomplished by
your chosen prophets,
you have bestowed the spirit of Elijah
on your prophet Elisha;
in your kindness grant us too
an increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit
so that, living as prophets,
we will bear constant witness
to your abiding presence and providence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Morning Prayer
Hymn
Grant to us, your sons, Elisha,
songs that ring with fervor due,
praise upon our lips bestowing,
of your wondrous deeds and true.
By almighty God anointed,
master of the prophets’ school,
at a garment’s touch converted,
with Elijah you were one.
Flowing waters of the Jordan
you divided with your cloak;
from their cells you called the hermits
and presided at their rites.
In the caves of desert dwelling
far from you the world’s pomp;
lofty merits show you gifted
with a heart of prayer and deed.
Leader strong and prophet blessed,
son of earth and simple ploughman,
light of life and virtue’s model,
healer of the string of death.
We, the sons of Carmel, praise you
Holy Godhead, one and three,
suppliant we ask for mercy;
spare us, your devoted ones.
87.87.D.
Ut possint claris commendare sonis
Tr. Joachim Smet, O.Carm.
Psalmody
Ant. 1 Elisha said: Let Naaman come to me and find out that there is a prophet in Israel.
Psalm 63
O God, you are my God, for you I long; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you*
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life, *
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, *
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
On my bed I remember you. *
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; *
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Elisha said: Let Naaman come to me and find out that there is a prophet in Israel.
Ant. 2 When the minstrel played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha and he prophesied.
Canticle – Daniel 3:57-88, 56
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
You heavens, bless the Lord,
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. *
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord. *
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord. *
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord. *
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. *
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord. *
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. *
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. *
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. *
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *
Let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. *
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all for ever.
Ant. When the minstrel played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha and he prophesied.
Ant. 3 During his lifetime he did not fear even princes, nor was anyone able to overcome him.
Psalm 149
Sing a new song to the Lord, *
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing *
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people. *
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips *
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
to deal out vengeance to the nations *
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *
this honor is for all his faithful.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. During his lifetime he did not fear even princes, nor was anyone able to overcome him.
Scripture Reading
Sir 48:12b–14
During his lifetime he feared no one, nor was any man able to intimidate his will. Nothing was beyond his power; beneath him flesh was brought back into life. In life he performed wonders, and after death, marvelous deeds.
Short Responsory
R/. Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind, * and the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha. Repeat R/.
V/. Elisha picked up Elijah’s mantle * and the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha. Glory… R/.
Canticle of Zechariah
Ant. Blessed be the King of heaven and Lord of prophets, who instructs the faithful through the mouth of his holy ones; through his deeds he makes known the way of peace and salvation, and through the intercession of Elisha he sets us firmly upon the path to heaven.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers*
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Blessed be the King of heaven and Lord of prophets, who instructs the faithful through the mouth of his holy ones; through his deeds he makes known the way of peace and salvation, and through the intercession of Elisha he sets us firmly upon the path to heaven.
Intercessions
In times past, God spoke and worked through the prophets, but today he is present to us through his Son, the Incarnate Word. Let us invoke him with perseverance:
R/. Make us witnesses of your word.
King of prophets, you filled Elisha with the spirit of Elijah: — stir up in us that prophetic gift which each of us has received in the sacrament of baptism. R/.
Word of the Father, through the Holy Spirit you inspired the prophets to be your spokespersons; — grant that all pastors and ministers of the word may proclaim your word with integrity and fidelity. R/.
Healer of body and soul, through the prophets you worked wonders for the infirm and the needy; — heal the sick, strengthen the wavering, protect the defenseless. R/.
Bread of angels and of men, through the prophet Elisha you relieved the hunger of the people; — fill your disciples with a sense of solidarity and communion with the needy and poor of the whole world. R/.
Source of mercy, through Elisha you extended mercy even to the enemies of Israel; — may all your disciples be ministers of compassion and reconciliation. R/.
Our Father …
Prayer
O God,
protector and redeemer of mankind,
whose glories have been proclaimed
through the wonders accomplished by
your chosen prophets,
you have bestowed the spirit of Elijah
on your prophet Elisha;
in your kindness grant us too
an increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit
so that, living as prophets,
we will bear constant witness
to your abiding presence and providence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Hymn
Gladly this joyful day of June
with fervent prayer we celebrate,
and Carmel’s height resounds with song,
to honor great Elisha’s name.
Holy Elijah, known of old,
at God’s command anointed you
with holy chrism he granted you
his double spirit, prayer and deed.
Soaring aloft in car of flame,
your father leaves his cloak behind;
parting the waves, with dry-shod feet
you tread the waves and gain the shore,
Taught by the Lord, you prayed and lo!
the Shunammite conceived a child;
after it died, you summoned it,
O greatest prophet, back to earth.
Praise be to God, the source of all,
and to His Son and Spirit too;
one act of homage we employ
our triune God to glorify.
L.M.
Prima lux surgens Idibus peractis
Tr. Joachim Smet, O.Carm.
Psalmody
Ant. 1 Elisha answered: The Lord lives, whom I serve.
Psalm 15
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent *
and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault; *
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart; *
he who does not slander with his tongue.
He who does no wrong to his brother, *
who casts no slur on his neighbor,
who holds the godless in disdain, *
but honors those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may; *
who takes no interest on a loan
and accepts no bribes against the innocent. *
Such a man will stand firm for ever.
Ant. Elisha answered: The Lord lives, whom I serve.
Ant. 2 Elisha went with the sons of the prophets to build a place to live.
Psalm 112
Happy the man who fears the Lord, *
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; *
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house; *
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright: *
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, *
he conducts his affairs with honor.
The just man will never waver: *
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news; *
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear; *
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor; †
his justice stands firm for ever. *
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry, †
grinds his teeth and fades away;
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Ant. Elisha went with the sons of the prophets to build a place to live.
Ant. 3 The king said, Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.
Canticle: Rev 15:3–4
Great and wonderful are your deeds, *
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, *
O King of the ages!
Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord? *
For you alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship you, *
for your judgments have been revealed.
Ant. The king said, Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.
Scripture Reading
2 Pet 1:19–21
Besides, we possess the prophetic message as something altogether reliable. Keep your attention closely fixed on it, as you would on a lamp shining in a dark place until the first streaks of dawn appear and the morning star rises in your hearts. First you must understand this: there is no prophecy contained in Scripture which is a personal interpretation. Prophecy has never been put forward by man’s willing it. It is rather that men impelled by the Holy Spirit have spoken under God’s influence.
Short Responsory
R/. This is a man who loves his brethren, * and fervently prays for his people. Repeat R/.
V/. He gives his life for his brethren, * and fervently prays for his people. Glory… R/.
Canticle of Mary
Ant. Today Elisha, Carmel’s mentor, proclaims the greatness of the Lord of hosts; through him the Lord casts down the mighty and raises up the lowly. Glory to you who have received your servant into the kingdom of peace.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, *
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant, *
and from this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me: *
holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,*
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and has sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Today Elisha, Carmel’s mentor, proclaims the greatness of the Lord of hosts; through him the Lord casts down the mighty and raises up the lowly. Glory to you who have received your servant into the kingdom of peace.
Intercessions
Let us acclaim our God who has wrought marvels through the word of his prophet, which is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the first streaks of dawn appear. Let us pray to him:
R/. Pour forth your prophetic spirit on the ministers of your word.
King of the universe, you have guided the leaders of the people through the prophet Elisha; — pour out your wisdom and valor on those who govern nations that they may promote peace and justice for all. R/.
Prototype of every community, you inspired Elisha to live among the brotherhood of prophets as one of them; — bestow on the family of Carmel a sense of unity and harmony with all your children. R/.
Lord of justice, you raised up Elisha to proclaim both your rights and those of your people; — strengthen in society that sense of righteousness which is a pledge of true peace. R/.
Jesus, the prophet Elisha was sent to help those who could not help themselves and so became a type of your own mission to your least brethren; — watch over those in every condition of life, assist widows and orphans, provide food for the hungry. R/.
Lord of the living and of the dead, through Elisha you restored a child to life; — show your great mercy to our brothers and sisters who have died. R/.
Our Father …
Prayer
O God,
protector and redeemer of mankind,
whose glories have been proclaimed
through the wonders accomplished by
your chosen prophets,
you have bestowed the spirit of Elijah
on your prophet Elisha;
in your kindness grant us too
an increase of the gifts of the Holy Spirit
so that, living as prophets,
we will bear constant witness
to your abiding presence and providence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
*This unofficial text comes from the Memorial of St. Elisha approved for use by the Carmelite Order (O.Carm.). Discalced Carmelite Postulator General Marco Chiesa, o.c.d. has indicated that the Optional Memorial of the Prophet Elisha does not yet have approved texts for use by the Teresian Carmel, thus the above texts approved for use by the Ancient Observance (O.Carm.) may be used on an unofficial basis. We await the official English translation approved by the Holy See, which will be distributed by the Discalced Carmelite General Curia.
Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.
The BibleWalks.com website offers virtual tours of all the locations in the Holy Land that are associated with the Prophets Elijah and Elisha. To view them, click here.
Featured image: Elijah Taken Up in a Chariot of Fire, Giuseppe Angeli (c. 1740/1755), National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. (Public domain)
#Carmelites #DiscalcedCarmelite #LiturgyOfTheHours #optionalMemorial #Prophet #StElisha
Pontisto 
Spirituality & Religious Studies
damian entwistle
