Experiencing the Holy Trinity as a Mystery in the Contemplative Life.
Israel Centeno
The Holy Trinity, the central mystery of Christian faith and life (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 234), is a profound reality that transcends human understanding. Yet, it is not a distant or abstract doctrine; rather, it is a truth that envelops and transforms the soul, especially in the contemplative life. St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, a Discalced Carmelite nun, is a luminous guide who helps us enter into the mystery of the Trinity through her theological insights and personal experience, which she lived with profound intimacy and simplicity.
The Mystery of the Holy Trinity in the Contemplative Life
The Holy Trinity is a mystery of communion: three divine Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—eternally united in love. This mystery, though ineffable, is not inaccessible. Through the grace of baptism, we are drawn into this divine communion, becoming “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19) and adopted children of the Father in the Son. The contemplative life, which seeks to “gaze upon the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4), is uniquely suited to experiencing this indwelling of the Trinity.
Contemplation is not merely an intellectual exercise but a loving gaze upon God, a resting in His presence. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that the contemplative life is an anticipation of the beatific vision, the ultimate union with God in heaven (Summa Theologiae, II-II, Q. 180, Art. 4). In this life, the soul begins to taste the joy of the Trinity’s presence through prayer, silence, and the sacraments. The Trinity becomes the soul’s dwelling place, where it finds its ultimate fulfillment and peace.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity: A Theological and Experiential Approach
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880–1906) is a saint whose life and writings illuminate the mystery of the Trinity in a unique way. She understood her vocation as a “praise of glory,” a soul that reflects the eternal praise of the Trinity in heaven (cf. Ephesians 1:12). Her writings, particularly her letters and retreat notes, reveal a profound theological depth combined with a lived experience of the Trinity’s indwelling.
Elizabeth’s theology is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church. She often meditated on the words of St. Paul: “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28) and “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). For her, the Trinity was not an abstract concept but a living reality dwelling within her soul. She described this presence as a “heaven in her soul,” a place of intimate communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Her approach is both theological and experiential. She invites the soul to interior silence, where it can encounter the Trinity in the depths of its being. In her prayer, she wrote: “O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to establish myself in You, unmovable and peaceful, as if my soul were already in eternity” (Prayer to the Holy Trinity). This prayer encapsulates her desire to live in constant awareness of the Trinity’s presence, allowing it to transform her into a living praise of glory.
Living the Mystery: A Call to All Christians
St. Elizabeth’s life and writings remind us that the mystery of the Trinity is not reserved for theologians or mystics but is the inheritance of every baptized Christian. To experience the Trinity is to live in a state of grace, to cultivate an interior life of prayer, and to seek union with God through love. The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, are privileged moments where the soul encounters the Triune God in a profound way.
The contemplative life, whether lived in a monastery or in the midst of the world, is a call to dwell in the presence of the Trinity. It is a life of listening, of silence, and of surrender. As St. Elizabeth teaches, this life is not about doing great things but about allowing God to act within us, to transform us into His image. “Let yourself be loved,” she often advised, for it is in receiving the love of the Trinity that we are drawn into its eternal communion.
The Elevation: A Soul’s Ascent to the Trinity
St. Elizabeth’s final prayer, her “Elevation to the Most Holy Trinity,” is a fitting conclusion to this reflection. It is both a summary of her theology and a roadmap for our journey into the mystery of the Trinity:
“O my God, Trinity whom I adore, let me entirely forget myself, so that I may abide in You, still and peaceful, as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing disturb my peace or draw me out of You, O my Immutable One, but may every moment carry me further into the depths of Your mystery. Establish my soul in peace, make it Your heaven, Your beloved dwelling, and the place of Your repose. May I never leave You there alone, but may I be wholly present, wholly vigilant in my faith, wholly adoring, and wholly surrendered to Your creative action.”
This elevation is not merely a prayer but an invitation to each of us. It calls us to enter into the mystery of the Trinity with faith, love, and surrender, to allow the Triune God to make His dwelling within us, and to transform our lives into a hymn of praise to His glory.
In the end, the mystery of the Holy Trinity is not something to be solved but to be lived. It is a mystery of love, a communion that invites us to participate in its eternal joy. St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, with her theological depth and profound experience, shows us the way: to dwell in the presence of the Trinity, to become a “praise of glory,” and to allow the Triune God to lead us into the fullness of His mystery. May her example inspire us to live in the light of the Trinity, now and forever.
Experiencing the Holy Trinity as a Mystery in the Contemplative Life: The Witness of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity lies at the very heart of the Christian faith. It is the central mystery of our life in God, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith” (CCC 234). Yet, while this truth is beyond full human comprehension, saints like St. Elizabeth of the Trinity teach us that it is not a distant abstraction but a living reality meant to be experienced in the depths of our souls.
Through her theological insights and personal mystical experiences, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity offers us a profound and accessible way to contemplate and live in communion with the Triune God. Her writings and prayer life invite us to enter into the mystery of the Trinity not merely as a concept to understand, but as a Presence to dwell in, to love, and to adore.
The Holy Trinity: A Mystery to Contemplate
The Holy Trinity is, first and foremost, a mystery of love. God is one, yet He is also a communion of Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This eternal exchange of love within God Himself is the source of all creation and the ultimate destiny of every human soul. As St. Paul writes, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36, CPDV).
To contemplate the Trinity is to gaze into the very life of God. However, this is not an intellectual exercise alone—it is an act of faith, hope, and love. In her writings, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity emphasizes that the mystery of the Trinity is not something we approach with mere reason, but with the silence of the heart and the openness of the soul. She writes: “It seems to me that I have found my heaven on earth, since heaven is God, and God is in my soul” (Letter 122).
For Elizabeth, the Trinity is not a distant reality but a living presence within us. This profound truth is rooted in Scripture, where Jesus promises: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and will make a home with him” (John 14:23, CPDV). The Trinity dwells within the baptized soul, and this indwelling presence is the foundation of our contemplative life.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity: A Theological and Mystical Approach
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, a Carmelite nun of the early 20th century, is one of the Church’s great mystics of the Trinitarian life. Her spirituality is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church, but it is also marked by a vivid personal experience of God’s presence. For Elizabeth, theology and lived experience are inseparable. She does not merely speak about the Trinity; she lives in communion with the Trinity.
Elizabeth’s famous prayer, the “Elevation to the Most Holy Trinity,” encapsulates her theological and mystical approach. In this prayer, she expresses her longing to be wholly united with the Triune God, to be transformed by His love, and to be a dwelling place where He can rest. She prays: “O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to establish myself in You, unmovable and peaceful, as if my soul were already in eternity.”
This prayer reveals Elizabeth’s profound understanding of the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Through faith, she contemplates the mystery of the Trinity; through hope, she longs for the eternal union with God; and through charity, she surrenders herself entirely to His will.
Living the Mystery of the Trinity in the Contemplative Life
How can we, like St. Elizabeth, live the mystery of the Trinity in our own lives? The key lies in cultivating a contemplative heart—a heart that is attuned to the presence of God and open to His transforming love. Here are some practical steps inspired by Elizabeth’s spirituality:
Silence and Interior Recollection
Elizabeth often spoke of the importance of silence and recollection as a way to enter into communion with God. In a world filled with noise and distractions, we must create spaces of silence where we can listen to the voice of God and become aware of His presence within us.
Faith in the Indwelling Trinity
We must remind ourselves that the Trinity dwells within our souls through grace. This truth, rooted in Scripture and affirmed by the Church, is a source of immense consolation and strength. As St. Paul writes, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells within you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, CPDV).
Transforming Daily Life into Prayer
Elizabeth teaches us that we can live in constant adoration of the Trinity, even in the midst of our daily activities. By offering our work, joys, and sufferings to God, we make our lives a continuous act of love and worship.
Surrender to the Holy Spirit
Elizabeth’s prayer asks the Holy Spirit to “descend” upon her and make her a living “humanity” for Christ. We too must invite the Holy Spirit to transform us, to conform us to Christ, and to guide us in living as children of the Father.
Hope in the Beatific Vision
Finally, Elizabeth reminds us to live in hope of the eternal union with the Trinity in heaven. While we experience God’s presence in this life, it is only a foretaste of the fullness of joy that awaits us in eternity.
Conclusion: A Life of Adoration
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s spirituality is a call to live in the presence of the Triune God, to make our souls a “heaven on earth” where He can dwell. Her “Elevation to the Most Holy Trinity” is not only a prayer but a roadmap for a life of contemplation, surrender, and love. As we meditate on her words, may we, like her, be drawn into the infinite mystery of God’s love.
Let us conclude with her sublime prayer:
Elevation to the Most Holy Trinity
By St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
“O my God, Trinity whom I adore,
help me to forget myself entirely
so as to establish myself in You,
unmovable and peaceful,
as if my soul were already in eternity.
May nothing be able to trouble my peace
or make me leave You,
O my unchanging God,
but may each minute bring me further
into the depths of Your Mystery.
Pacify my soul;
make it Your heaven,
Your beloved dwelling,
and the place of Your rest.
May I never abandon You there,
but may I be there,
whole and entire,
completely vigilant in my faith,
entirely adoring,
and wholly given over to Your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love,
I wish to be a bride for Your Heart;
I wish to cover You with glory;
I wish to love You…
even unto death!
But I feel my weakness,
and I ask You to “clothe me with Yourself,”
to identify my soul with all the movements of Your soul,
to overwhelm me, to possess me,
to substitute Yourself for me,
so that my life may be but a radiance of Your Life.
Come into me as Adorer, as Restorer, as Savior.
O Eternal Word, Word of my God,
I want to spend my life in listening to You,
to become wholly teachable,
so that I may learn all from You.
Then, through all nights, all voids, all helplessness,
I want to gaze on You always
and remain in Your great light.
O my beloved Star,
so fascinate me that I may not withdraw
from Your radiance.
O consuming Fire, Spirit of Love,
“come upon me,”
and create in my soul a kind of incarnation of the Word,
that I may be another humanity for Him
in which He can renew His whole Mystery.
And You, O Father,
bend lovingly over Your poor little creature;
“cover her with Your shadow,”
seeing in her only the Beloved
in whom You are well pleased.
O my Three, my All, my Beatitude,
infinite Solitude, Immensity in which I lose myself,
I surrender myself to You as Your prey.
Bury Yourself in me
so that I may bury myself in You
until I depart to contemplate in Your light
the abyss of Your greatness.”
May St. Elizabeth of the Trinity intercede for us and help us to live in the loving presence of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
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