Saint of the day January 4, 2025

Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was the first native-born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Elizabeth grew up in the upper class of New York society. She was an abundant reader, and read everything from the Bible to contemporary novels. Despite of her high society background, Elizabeth's early life was quiet, simple, and often lonely. As she grew a little older, the Bible would become her continual guide, support, and comfort -and she would continue to love the Scriptures for the rest of her life.

In 1794, Elizabeth married the wealthy young William Seton, with whom she was deeply in love. The first years of their marriage were joyful and prosperous. This time of Elizabeth's life was to be a brief moment of earthly happiness before the many deaths and partings she was to suffer. Within four years, William's father died, leaving the young couple in charge of William's seven half brothers and sisters, as well as the family's importing business. Events moved quickly from there, devastating the situation. Both William's business and health failed. He was finally forced to file a petition of bankruptcy and, in a final attempt to save William's health, the Setons sailed for Italy where he, unfortunately, died of tuberculosis.

Elizabeth's one consolation was that he had recently awakened to the things of God.
Elizabeth's deep concern for the spiritual welfare of her family and friends eventually led her to the Catholic Church. In Italy, Elizabeth captivated everyone with her kindness, patience, good sense, wit, and courtesy. During this time Elizabeth became interested in the Catholic Faith and, over a period of months, her Italian friends guided her in Catholic instruction. Elizabeth's desire for the Bread of Life was to be a strong force leading her to the Catholic Church. Having lost her mother at an early age, Elizabeth felt great comfort in the idea that the Blessed Virgin was truly her mother. She asked the Blessed Virgin to guide her to the True Faith and officially joined the Catholic Church in 1805.

At the suggestion of the president of St. Mary's College in Baltimore, Maryland, Elizabeth started a school in that city. The school had originally been secular but once news of her entrance to Catholicism spread, several girls were removed from her school. It was then that Seton, and two other young women, began plans for a Sisterhood. They established the first free Catholic school in America. When the young community adopted their rule, they made provisions for Elizabeth to continue raising her children. On March 25, 1809, Elizabeth Seton pronounced her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, binding for one year. From that time she was called Mother Seton.

Although Mother Seton became afflicted with tuberculosis, she continued to guide her children. The Rule of the Sisterhood was formally ratified in 1812. It was based upon the Rule St. Vincent de Paul had written for his Daughters of Charity in France. By 1818, in addition to their first school, the Sisters had established two orphanages and another school. Today, six groups of sisters can trace their origins to Mother Seton's initial foundation.

For the last three years of her life, Elizabeth felt that God was getting ready to call her, and this gave her great joy. Mother Seton died in 1821 at the age of 46, only sixteen years after becoming a Catholic. She was beatified by Pope John XXIII on March 17, 1963 and was canonized on September 14, 1975 by Pope Paul VI.

Reflection

The legacy of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is one of loss, grief, and struggle. It’s also a story of love, charitable service, and fervent devotion to Christ.
She experienced many of the things we do. She was lonely, scared, and rejected. She loved deeply and had children who were the light of her life. She knew what it was to be sick, and broke and homeless. She cooked and cleaned and worried over the bills. She studied her Bible and knelt in prayer. Her faith was her abiding strength. We pray the church we build will help others to know and love and serve the God she served so well.