Named for Glory: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity's Identity and Mission

Margaret Rash shares how Named for Glory is a good starting point to learn more about Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity. 

Named for Glory: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity's Identity and Mission

By Anthony Lilles, Father Ignatius Schweitzer, OP, and Julie Enzler

Published by Sophia Institute Press

Named for Glory, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity's Identity and Mission is constructed as a collection of essays discussing St. Elizabeth of the Trinity's spiritual names and identity in the Trinity through an examination of her letters. The spiritual names of Saint Elizabeth which are examined and explained are “House of God,” “Praise of Glory,” and “Host of Praise.” 

The chapters/essays break down each of these names and explain how they apply to Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity's spiritual identity through various lenses, including through a Marian context, through Saint Elizabeth's mission in her life (and how we are to apply these names to our own God-given missions in our lives), and through the context of her contemplative prayer life. 

Named for Glory Encourages Learning Beyond the Book 

When I started this book, I knew almost nothing about Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity. At first, I found myself a little confused about the names and what the premise of the book would be as I jumped into it with little to no background knowledge of the material. However, the Introduction to the book was helpful in providing context and what I found as I continued to read, was that I began to want to know more.   

This book does an excellent job of including primary source material from Saint Elizabeth’s actual letters. 

Advice and Encouragement for All of Us 

The wisdom and love she expressed to her family, friends, and others she encountered is uplifting, encouraging, and profound. 

In a letter to her sister, who is a mother with small children, Saint Elizabeth encourages her sister to recognize that she is a “House of God” as God dwells in the innermost part of her soul and that she can recollect herself there and be with God whenever she chooses.  She says,

Through everything, in the midst of your worries as a mother, even while dedicated to the little angels, you can withdraw into this solitude. (L 239, page 82) 

This thought was so reassuring to me as a mother of small children. It is possible to be recollected with God without abandoning my vocation as a mother. Saint Elizabeth gives practical advice and encouragement through her letters to others as well. 

Though there is a lot of wisdom applicable to anyone and their spiritual journey, the writing style of the book is fairly academic. I would not describe it as a quick, easy read. But I was definitely left wanting to know more about Saint Elizabeth's life and more of her writing. 

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2025 Margaret Rash
Images: (top) detail from cover