From socialite to saint: The story of the first U.S.-born saint

More than 150 years after her death, Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized the first American-born saint. “Elizabeth Ann Seton is a saint,” said Pope Paul VI on September 14, 1975 at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. “St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American. All of us say this with special joy, and with the intention of honoring the land and the nation from which she sprang forth as the first flower in the calendar of the saints. Elizabeth Ann Seton was wholly American! Rejoice for your glorious daughter. Be proud of her. And know how to preserve her fruitful heritage.”

Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born into a prominent Episcopal family and had a high society upbringing in New York, yet wished to lead a very simple life. Elizabeth married a young, wealthy man named William Seton in 1794. When Will’s father died, the young couple was left in charge of Will’s six half-brothers and sisters as well as the family business. The couple also had five children of their own. Sadly, in a short time, the family business and Will’s health both began to fail. Will, Elizabeth and their oldest daughter sailed for warmer temperatures in Italy as a final attempt to save Will’s health, but he died of tuberculosis two days after Christmas, while in Italy.

Elizabeth found great comfort in the Bible and turned to the Scriptures when dealing with the difficulties of death and suffering. Her deep concern for the spiritual welfare of her family and friends led her to the Catholic faith. Several of her Italian friends guided her in Catholic instruction, and upon her return to New York, she was received into the Catholic Church on March 14, 1805. One year later, she received the sacrament of Confirmation from the Bishop of Baltimore, the Right Reverend John Carroll—the only Catholic bishop in the nation.

Elizabeth Ann Seton began an academy for young ladies, as was common for widows of her social standing during that time, but after news of her conversion to Catholicism spread, most parents withdrew their daughters. She was preparing to move to Canada when she met a visiting priest from the French immigrant community of Sulcipian Fathers and then-president of St. Mary’s College. The Sulcipians had taken refuge in the United States from the religious persecution of the Reign of Terror in France and were in the process of establishing the first Catholic seminary in the United States. The visiting priest offered her a resident teaching position.

In 1809, Elizabeth accepted the Sulcipians’ offer and began what became the foundation of the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It was the first congregation of religious sisters to be founded in the United States, and its school was the first free Catholic school in America. Elizabeth became known thereafter as “Mother Seton.”

This modest beginning marked the start of the Catholic parochial school system in the United States. In 1810, the sisters adopted the rules and constitution of St. Vincent de Paul, with some modifications, and the institution became a religious order. A group of buildings was constructed, including a residence for the Sisters, a novitiate, a boarding school for young girls, a school for poor children and an orphan asylum.

Mother Seton spent the remainder of her life leading and developing the Sisters of Charity. Like her husband before her, she died of tuberculosis in 1821. At the time of her death, there were more than 20 Sisters of Charity communities conducting free schools, orphanages, boarding schools and hospitals in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Delaware, Massachusetts, Virginia, Missouri, Louisiana and in the District of Columbia. Today, six separate religious congregations trace their roots to the beginnings of the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg.

The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is commemorating Mother Seton’s journey to sainthood with events and a special exhibition. The centerpiece of the exhibit is the actual banner which hung in St. Peter’s Square on the day of her canonization.

“40 Years a Saint: A Premier Exhibition”

National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Museum

Open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily

“40 Years a Saint: The Anniversary Weekend”

September 12, 2015

A Day Celebrating the Legacy in the Sisters of Charity Federation Congregations

Commemorative Concert, 7 p.m.

A Day Celebrating the Gift Mother Seton is to the American Church

September 13, 2015

• Guided tours, presentations at historic houses, new exhibit, and first person interpretation by living historian portraying Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

• Celebration Liturgy with Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, 1:30 p.m.

• Celebration with refreshments, games, and live music, 3 p.m.

A Day Celebrating the Education Legacy in Catholic Education

September 14, 2015

Thanksgiving Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Gainer, Bishop of Harrisburg, PA, 11 a.m.

Thanksgiving Liturgy, 1:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.setonheritage.org/40years 

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