In this episode of Power and Witness, Fr. Ignatius Schweitzer, O.P., Director of Spiritual Formation at St. Joseph’s Seminary and co-author of Named for Glory: Saint Elisabeth of the Trinity’s Identity and Mission, joins Fr. Mark to explore the rich spirituality of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity.
In our noisy and distracted world, St. Elizabeth invites us into deep recollection and the “invincible fortress” of the Indwelling Trinity — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwelling in the depths of our soul as living water. Fr. Ignatius shares how this contemplative vision transforms daily life, turning busyness, exhaustion, and ordinary moments into opportunities for prayer, peace, and love.
Key Discussion Points
- The Indwelling Trinity: How the Trinity dwells within us through grace and becomes a source of living water that flows into every part of life.
- Contemplative Prayer in Daily Life: Practical ways to enter the “interior cell” amid distractions, smartphones, traffic, meetings, and weariness.
- St. Elizabeth’s Mission: Her heavenly mission to draw souls into silence, recollection, and a simple movement of love that transforms us into a “praise of glory.”
- Prayer and the Scriptures: Moving from the words of Scripture to resting in the Divine Word, and living the mysteries of Christ (especially through the Rosary).
- Overcoming Exhaustion and Vice: Being captivated by Christ and drawing close to the fire of God’s presence to grow in holiness.
- Practical Wisdom: Turning off notifications, surrendering frustrations to God, and finding rest in the Indwelling Trinity during everyday activities.
Episode Chapters
00:14 – Welcoming Fr. Ignatius Schweitzer and introducing St. Elizabeth of the Trinity.
01:09 – Why St. Elizabeth is a saint for our noisy, distracted time.
02:35 – The significance of the Divine Indwelling and praying outside of Eucharistic Adoration.
04:56 – The Samaritan Woman and the living water bubbling up from the Trinity within.
06:21 – Moving from robotic duty to love flowing from the depths.
11:04 – St. Elizabeth’s mission in heaven: drawing souls into holy silence and transformation.
16:37 – Practical tips for recollection: notifications, traffic, meetings, and turning frustration into prayer.
25:15 – God’s presence in creation, Scripture, and the mysteries of Christ.
37:46 – Praying the Scriptures contemplatively and resting in the Divine Word.
58:03 – Overcoming sin and vice by being captivated by Christ and drawing close to the fire.
Listen to the Full Episode
About the Guest
Fr. Ignatius Schweitzer, O.P. is Director of Spiritual Formation and Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York. A Dominican priest and former Carthusian monk, he is a co-author of Named for Glory: Saint Elisabeth of the Trinity’s Identity and Mission (Sophia Institute Press). He regularly leads retreats on the mystics and helps form seminarians and laity in contemplative prayer and Trinitarian spirituality.
