Feast day: November 8
Elizabeth Catez was born in July of 1880 at the military base in Cher, France, where her father was stationed. Her father died unexpectedly when she was seven years old, and the family moved to Dijon. She made her First Confession in 1887 and then her First Communion in 1891. Elizabeth had been an unruly and foul-tempered child. However, after receiving her First Communion, she gained self-control and a deeper understanding of God and the world.
She cultivated a deep devotion to the Holy Trinity. Elizabeth wanted to join the Discalced Carmelite order, but her mother tried to dissuade her because Elizabeth had several offers of marriage. Her mother eventually agreed to allow Elizabeth to enter Carmel when she was 21. In the meantime, Elizabeth continued to visit the sick, sing in the choir, and teach religion to children who worked in factories. She entered the Carmel of Dijon in 1901 and dedicated her life to God.
Her simple spirituality was much like that of her contemporary, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Shortly before her entrance to Carmel, the prioress of the Dijon Carmel showed Elizabeth the "circular letter" distributed by the Lisieux Carmel, which eventually became Saint Thérèse's famous and influential autobiography, The Story of a Soul. Reading the writings of Saint Thérèse solidified Elizabeth's desire to enter the Carmelite monastery.
Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity died of Addison’s disease at age 26. She accepted her pain and suffering as a gift from God. She was canonized by Pope Francis on October 16, 2016.
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