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"Elijah came upon Elisha and
threw his cloak over him. Immediately Elisha left the oxen and ran after
Elijah as his attendant” (cf 1 Kings 19:19‑21). Elisha was filled with the
spirit of Elijah: among the many signs he performed, he cured Naaman of
leprosy and raised a dead child to life. He lived among the sons of the
prophets and in Gods name he frequently intervened in the affairs of the
Israelites.
Mindful of its origins on Mount Carmel, the Carmelite Order desired to
perpetuate the memory of the great prophets' presence and deeds through
the liturgical celebration of Sts Elijah and Elisha. Thus the General
Chapter of 1399 decreed the celebration of the feast of St. Elisha.
Through his fidelity to the one true God and by s service to Gods people,
St. Elisha effectively illustrates the meaning of the prophetic office in
our day. |
