He Is My Heaven: The Life of Elizabeth of the Trinity

by Jennifer Moorcroft

Elizabeth of the Trinity (Elizabeth Catez) was a young French woman who became a Discalced Carmelite in the Carmel of Dijon. She was just twenty-one when she died in 1906. But those few years were enough for her to develop and deepen a distinctive approach to God, one that has since inspired countless people in their quest for a deeper relationship with the indwelling God. Although influenced by St. Thrse of Lisieux, Elizabeths spirituality is distinctive, highly biblical, simple to understand and to practice. Her perennial theme is the Blessed Trinitys indwelling within the human persona reality promised in the Gospel, discovered in the silence of prayer and adoration, and then lived out in love for God and neighbor.

Genres: Biography, Religion, Faith, Catholic, Spirituality

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Jennifer Moorcroft is a Third Order Carmelite and was for many years a catechist with the RCIA programme for adults. She is now retired and lives with her husband in Wales.

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very insightful and interesting biography on the life of my patron. Reading about her helps to fill in any gaps left from just reading her writings. I have a better idea now of just how much she actually suffered. You wouldn't really know it from her own writings.

[Katie Marquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by a friend, and I had never even heard of saint Elizabeth of the Trinity! I'm so glad to have gotten to know her in this book. I think from the somewhat demure cover and maybe even the fact that she was a 20th century nun, you might think this a rather dull life story. Nothing could be further from the truth. I really liked getting to know Elizabeth's fiery spirit, and her theological insights are truly profound, echoing the mystical truths of her Carmelite inspiration, saint Teresa of Avila. A beautiful insight into mystical Christian theology!

[Galen G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice book if you want an introduction to Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity. It takes you from her childhood, through her discernment process of her vocation, to her entry into Carmel, and finally her illness and death. She wrote many letters to family and friends, some of which are reproduced in the book. I recommend it for those who are interested in Carmelite spirituality and Elizabeth's understanding of her vocation and her relationship with the Holy Trinity.

[Maximilian Nightingale · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best parts of the book are the excepts from St. Elizabeth's own writings. For this reason, I would recommend (more than this book) the first volume of her collected writings, "I Have Found God". This book here contains a vivid and drawn out account of her death which is certainly worth reading, as well as beautiful excerpts from her letters.

[Frank Pajunen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful introduction to a woman I admire and love. Made me want to learn more and more about her. A wonderful saint for our times, with a spirituality that I myself can relate to and emulate. Five stars for sure.

[Ronald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not well written, to be honest, but there aren't a huge number of books about this beautiful saint so this gives a decent overview of her life. Might be good for older children or teenagers rather than adults.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful book did full of the life of this saint! a great read.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT read...will spend a LONG time thinking about her spirituality...a lifetime book!

[Shella · Rating 5 out of 5]

very inspirational

[Lauren Scharmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and was so happy to get to know more about St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. I thought it was a good mix of biographical and first hand accounts of her life.

[Emma McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning. I’m in love with her! Will certainly keep this on my shelf to be reread many times over.

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-rounded, inspiring account of Elizabeth of the Trinity’s life before and after becoming a Carmelite that draws from her letters and reminiscences of her sisters and superiors in Carmel. Timely reading as she will be canonized (declared a saint) in October. Elizabeth, who clearly had a strong sense of God's presence within her and love for Him even early in her life, offers encouragement through her writings and life to turn from self to God within, allowing Him to change us.