BTP-LR3 - Day 3 - The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

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Day 3 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s retreat, The Last Retreat, focusing on the transformative power of prayer. Elizabeth’s mission is to guide souls into mystical contemplation, where deep prayer fosters holiness through constant awareness of God’s presence. Drawing from St. Paul’s teachings on predestination, God’s eternal plan is for all to share in His glory through Christ. Prayer is not passive but an active engagement with God’s love, which purifies and elevates the soul, making it a vessel of divine grace.

The virtue of simplicity in prayer likens it to the contemplative vision of the blessed in heaven. Prayer simplifies the soul, allowing God’s attributes to shine through and transforming daily life into an expression of divine love. We must embrace silent, contemplative prayer, even when it feels unproductive, as it deepens the soul’s union with God.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

God’s Eternal Plan for Us: Reflect on how God’s predestination calls you to live as the praise of His glory through daily prayer and trust in His divine will.
Transformative Power of Prayer: Consider how silent, contemplative prayer can transform your soul, making you more open to God’s love and grace in everyday life.
Simplicity in the Spiritual Life: Examine areas in your life where simplicity and stillness can help you rest in God’s presence and deepen your relationship with Him.
Union with God through Suffering: Ponder how trials and suffering, when surrendered to God, can be a means for spiritual growth and deeper union with His heart.
Your Call to Reflect God’s Love: Ask yourself how your prayer life enables you to radiate God’s love to others and contribute to healing and peace in the world.

From “Last Retreat Day 3” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

“The soul, by the simplicity of the gaze which it fixes on its divine object, finds itself set apart from all that surrounds it, set apart also and above all from itself. Then it is resplendent with this “knowledge of the glory of God,” of which the Apostle speaks, because it permits the divine Being to be reflected in it, “and all His attributes are communicated to it.” Truly this soul is the praise of glory of all His gifts; through everything, even the most commonplace acts, it sings the canticum magnum, the canticum novum . . . , and this canticle thrills God to His very depths.”

This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters

We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .