St. Christopher Ladies Guild Woman of the Month
Elizabeth Ann Seton
Feast Day: January 4
Patron Saint of Catholic schools, widows, and seafarers
It is remarkable that the first American born Catholic to be canonized was a married woman and mother of five. But then, Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was a remarkable woman. Born in New York City in 1774 to a prominent Episcopal family, Elizabeth lost her mother at the age of 3. At age 19 she married William Seton, a wealthy businessman, with whom she had 5 children. Her letters describe this time in her life to be filled with joy. But hardship and tragedy soon visited the young family. Upon the death of William’s father, Elizabeth and William took on the responsibility of caring for his 7 siblings and running the family business. Within a few years both the business and William’s health failed. In an effort to save William from the ravages of tuberculosis, the Setons sailed for the warmer climate of Italy, but he died soon after their arrival. While staying in Italy Elizabeth became interested in the Catholic faith and received instruction from her Italian friends. Her love of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary gave her great comfort and led to her joining the Catholic Church soon after her return to America in 1805. Sadly, her conversion caused some family members and friends to reject her due to the anti-Catholic prejudice of that time. Alone, penniless, and seeking a way to support her family, Elizabeth moved to Maryland and began a school for girls. It was the first free Catholic school in America. With the help of two other women, Elizabeth also began plans for a Sisterhood based upon the Rule St. Vincent de Paul had written for his Daughters of Charity in France. She pronounced her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in 1809 and became known as Mother Seton. Provisions were made for her to continue raising her children while working for the Sisterhood. Her order became the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph and was the first congregation for religious sisters in the United States. Elizabeth directed the growing community for the last twelve years of her life. Tragically, the scourge of tuberculosis revisited her family taking two of her daughters in 1812 and 1816, and then Elizabeth herself in 1821 at the age of 46.
Today, six groups of sisters can trace their beginnings to her efforts. Whether through Catholic education, healthcare, or anti-poverty efforts, generations of American lives have been touched by the seeds that Mother Seton planted. Elizabeth was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975. She is known as the patron saint of widows, Catholic schools, educators, loss of parents, children near death, and persons rejected for their Catholic faith.
Reflecting on St. Elizabeth’s life, a line from the movie Silver Linings Playbook comes to mind. “The world will break your heart ten ways to Sunday, that’s guaranteed.” Just how did she manage to navigate so much loss and uncertainty with such uncommon grace and faith? She left thousands of letters to friends and family that give witness to her wit, common sense, fortitude, and compassion. They are also a window into her deep and abiding faith which is a blueprint for us when all seems lost and our lives haven’t turned out according to our cherished plans. The source of her strength and her movement from goodness to true sanctity came through: a rich prayer life that was attuned to the will of God, a devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, a closeness to the Virgin Mother, and deep meaning in her work and friendships with her fellow sisters. Below are some quotes from her that are worth pondering as we pray for her intercession this month.
“The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him.”
“Faith lifts the soul, hope supports it, experience says it must and Love says…let it be!”
“We must often draw the comparison between time and eternity. This is the remedy of all our troubles. How small will the present moment appear when we enter that great ocean.”
“Be attentive to the voice of grace.”
“God is everywhere, in the very air I breathe, yes everywhere, but in His Sacrament of the Altar He is as present actually and really as my soul within my body; in His Sacrifice daily offered as really as once offered on the Cross.”
“Without prayer I should be of little service.”
“God has given me a great deal to do and I have always and hope always to prefer his Will to every wish of my own.”
Sources consulted:
“Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.”franciscanmedia.org
“Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton/Sisters of Charity.”srcharitycnti.org
“St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.”faith.nd.edu
“St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: A Collection of her Wisdom in Thirty Quotations.”bigccatholics.blogspot.com
