BTP-LR19 - Day 14 - Part 1 - The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

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Day 14 – Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

In this episode of Beginning to Pray, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor reflect on Day 14 of The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. As Elizabeth nears the close of her earthly life, she draws deeply from the writings of St. Paul to express her complete surrender to Christ and her longing to be united with Him in everything.

Her words are filled with Scripture—not simply quoted, but absorbed into her heart and prayer. She speaks of letting go of all else in order to press forward toward Christ, who has taken hold of her completely. Dr. Lilles offers insight into how her prayer is not shaped by emotion or technique, but by a steady and trusting love—a love that remains even in suffering.

Listeners are invited to consider how Elizabeth’s trust in God’s eternal plan—set in place before the foundation of the world—can shape our own response to trials, loss, or uncertainty. Her surrender is not passive, but strong and deliberate, rooted in the desire to do the Father’s will in all things. This conversation opens a path toward interior transformation, where even the most painful moments can become occasions of grace and deeper communion with Christ.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. In your current season of life, what attachments or distractions may be keeping you from a deeper intimacy with Christ?
2. How have you tried to earn God’s favor, and what would it look like to rest more fully in His free gift of grace?
3. When your prayer feels uneventful or dry, how can you remain committed to simply being present to God?
4. Think about a recent difficulty you faced: how might Christ be inviting you to let His life guide your response?
5. How does remembering that God’s plan for you began before creation change the way you view today’s challenges?
6. In practical terms, what daily habit could help you say a more ready “yes” to God’s will?
7. Where do you notice self‑doubt creeping in, and how can turning to Christ’s strength reshape that inner dialogue?
8. Who in your life could benefit from your intercessory prayer this week, and how will you make space to pray intentionally for that person?
9. How might reflecting on Scripture from memory—following Elizabeth’s example—reshape the atmosphere of your day?
10. Looking ahead, what concrete step can you take to be sure that love, rather than fear, motivates your decisions?

From “Last Retreat Day 14” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

36. “It seems to me that all is loss since I have known the excelling knowledge of my Lord, Jesus Christ. For love of Him I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish that I may gain Christ, so as to be found in Him, not with my own justice but with the justice that comes from God through faith. What I want is to know Him, to share in His sufferings, to become like Him in His death. I pursue my course, striving to attain to what Christ has destined me for by taking hold of me; my whole concern is to forget what is behind and to strain forward constantly to what is ahead; I run straight to the goal . . . , to the prize of the heavenly vocation to which God has called me in Christ Jesus.” 212 The Apostle has often revealed the greatness of this vocation: “God,” he says, “has chosen us in Him before the creation of the world that we might be holy and immaculate in His presence in love. . . . We have been predestined by the decree of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we may be the praise of His glory.” 213

37. But how do we respond to the dignity of this vocation? This is the secret: “Mihi vivere Christus est! . . . Vivo enim, jam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus. . . .” 214 We must be transformed into Jesus Christ; again it is St. Paul who teaches me this: “Those whom God has foreknown, He has predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” 215 It is important then that I study this divine Model so as to identify myself so closely with Him that I may unceasingly reveal Him to the eyes of the Father. First of all, what did He say when He came into the world? “Here I am, O God, I come to do your will.” 216 I think that this prayer should be like the bride’s heartbeat: 217 “Here we are, O Father, we come to do your will!

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 .