Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880–1906)
Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880–1906)
French Carmelite mystic. Name variations: Elizabeth Catez. Born in Jul, 1880, in Bourges, France; died Nov 9, 1906, in Dijon, France; dau. of Joseph Catez (who had seen much combat in French army and was promoted many times, finally achieving status of Knight of Legion of Honor in 1881) and Marie (Rolland) Catez (dau. of successful military officer); sister of Marguerite Catez.
Nun who held the mystical belief that the trinity dwelled within the soul, lost maternal grandfather and father in same year (1887); moved with mother and sister to an apartment near Dijon overlooking the monastery of Discalced Carmelite Nuns; read Teresa of Avila's Way of Perfection and letters of St. Paul and sought guidance from Dominican friar Iréné Vallée; entered Carmelite convent, receiving name Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity at Feast of Epiphany (1902); became very weak (1906) and died from stomach cancer; left behind many writings: summaries of private retreats (including 2 retreats for married sister), prayers (including 1904 devotion to indwelling of Trinity in soul) and extensive correspondence, all of which show deep spirituality which blends tradition of Saint John of the Cross with themes taken from epistles of Saint Paul; beatified by Pope John Paul II (1984).
See also Jennifer Moorcroft, He Is My Heaven: The Life of Elizabeth of the Trinity (Institute of Carmelite Studies).