“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). The Old Testament prophet 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 God’s 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 Saints Elijah and Elisha. Thus the Order’s General Chapter of 1399 decreed the celebration of the feast of St. Elisha. Through his fidelity to the one true God and by his service of God’s people, St. Elisha effectively illustrates the meaning of the prophetic office in our day.
O God,
protector and redeemer of the human family,
whose wonders have been proclaimed through the wonders accomplished by your chosen prophets,
you have bestowed the spirit of Elijah on your prophet Elisha:
in your kindness grant us too
an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit
so that, living as prophets,
we will bear constant witness to your abiding presence and providence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.