Day 11, Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore Day 11 of The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. The conversation focuses on developing a deep relationship with God the Father, especially for those who may have struggled with their earthly paternal relationships. St. Elizabeth’s own early loss of her father shaped her yearning for the Heavenly Father and how her writings invite us to rediscover this divine relationship. Life’s challenges and imperfections of earthly fathers point us toward the true Father, who grants us identity, freedom, and a mission oriented toward eternal life. The practice of forgiving and letting go of past wounds becomes part of this transformative journey.
Entering spiritual solitude and silence can be daunting for many. St. Elizabeth describes how God leads the soul into an “immense infinite solitude,” where one becomes receptive to His word. Letting go of attachments and internal obstacles by welcoming the Word of God into one’s heart involves not just hearing but living out the Word, allowing it to strip away deeper resistances like resentment or self-pity. In this surrender, the soul is gradually sanctified, making space for the indwelling presence of the Trinity.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

* Am I aware of any consistent interior attraction drawing me toward a particular choice or vocation?
* Do I notice moments of spiritual consolation that invite me into deeper relationship with God through certain life options?
* Have I allowed sufficient time for these movements of the heart to deepen and clarify over time?
* Am I cultivating an inner openness to God’s will, truly ready to follow whatever He desires for me?
* Am I regularly using spiritual practices—such as Scripture, the Eucharist, silence, and the Examen—to help discern God’s invitations?
* Have I sought wise spiritual counsel to accompany me in my discernment process?
* If clarity has not emerged through consolation, am I prepared to thoughtfully weigh advantages and disadvantages in light of God’s glory?
* Do I prayerfully consider how each possible choice may help make God more known and loved in the world?
* Have I gathered all the relevant information I need to discern a choice responsibly and clearly?
* Before making a decision, have I sincerely presented it to God in prayer, asking for guidance and confirmation?


From “Last Retreat Day 11, pt 1” found in The Complete Works vol 1:
27. “The Lord brought me into a spacious place, because He was gracious toward me. . . .” 159 The Creator, seeing the beautiful silence which reigns in His creature, and gazing on her wholly recollected in her interior solitude, is enamored of her beauty and leads her into this immense, infinite solitude, into this “spacious place” sung of by the prophet, which is nothing else but Himself: “I will enter into the depths of the power of God.” 160 Speaking through his prophet, the Lord said: “I will lead her into solitude and speak to her heart.” 161 The soul has entered into this vast solitude in which God will make Himself heard! “His word,” St. Paul says, “is living and active, and more penetrating than a two edged sword: extending even to the division of soul and spirit, even of joints and marrow.” 162 It is His word then that will directly achieve the work of stripping in the soul; for it has this particular characteristic, that it effects and creates what it intends, 163 provided however that the soul consents to let this be done.
Elizabeth of the Trinity (2014-07-24). Elizabeth of the Trinity Complete Works,