Sister Elizabeth
of the Trinity
Our First Handmaid
Of the first three women who came to New Mexico to begin the Handmaids of the Precious Blood, only Sister Elizabeth persevered in her vocation until death. A victim of childhood polio at age 11, she was paralyzed below the waist, but was so undeterred in her pursuit of God that our Founder, Father Gerald Fitzgerald s.P., would say of her that while “her body was on crutches, her spirit was on wings.” Always grateful for her calling as a Handmaid, her ever present smile was remembered by all who knew her.
- Founder, Father Gerald s.P., with our first Handmaid, Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity.
- Our First Handmaid, Sister Elizabeth: Her body on crutches but her spirit on wings.
- 1947 photo of Sister Elizabeth.
- First vows in 1956. Sister Elizabeth is second from left in front row.
- Sister enjoys the snow in 1962.
- Sister Elizabeth (far left) with other pioneers in 1977.
- Sister Elizabeth, at the head of the table, during community recreation.
- Sister in her electric wheelchair.