* Feast Day: January 4th
* First American-born Saint
* Foundress and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States

Born in New York City, August 28, 1774, to wealthy and distinguished Episcopalian family. Her education was chiefly conducted by her father; a brilliant man of great natural virtue, who trained her to self-restraint as well as in intellectual pursuits. She read industriously, her notebooks indicating a special interest in religious and historical subjects. She was very religious, wore a small crucifix around her neck, and took great delight in reading the Scriptures, especially the Psalms, a practice she retained until her death.

She was married to William Magee Seton and had five children in seven years. She and other young prominent women in New York society served the poor, particularly widows and orphans. Ironically, Elizabeth became a penniless widow within 10 years of marrying when her ailing husband died in Italy. Influenced by the kindness of her husband’s friends and her attraction to the Eucharist, Elizabeth converted to Catholicism.

From a journal that Elizabeth kept during her travels to Italy while with William’s Catholic friends she first began to see the beauty of the Catholic Faith. Elizabeth’s desire for the Bread of Life was to be a strong force in bringing her to the Catholic Church.

Her return back to New York in June 1804 was a time of great spiritual perplexity. Over the next year, Elizabeth prayfully asked for God’s guidance with her life. On March 25, 1805, she made her first Communion with extraordinary fervor. She well understood the storm that her conversion would raise among her Protestant relatives and friends at the time she most needed their help. Little of her husband’s fortune was left, but numerous relatives would have provided amply for her and her children had not this barrier been raised.

In order to support her children she taught school. Later, Elizabeth Ann Seton opened a Catholic school for girls in Baltimore and still later moved to Emmitsburg, NY to open another Catholic school. The convent life for which she had longed ever since her stay in Italy now seemed more practicable. Her life was that of a religious, and her quaint costume was fashioned after one worn by certain nuns in Italy. She and two other young women, who helped her in her work, 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 of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

Although Mother Seton was now 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. For the last three years of her life, Elizabeth felt that God was getting ready to call her, and this gave her joy. Mother Seton had great facility in writing. Besides the translation of many ascetical French works for her community, she has left copious diaries and correspondence that show a soul all on fire with the love of God and zeal for souls.

Mother Seton died on January 4, 1821 at the age of 46, only sixteen years after becoming a Catholic. She was canonized on September 14, 1975.

Source(s):
For more information about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, visit the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton website at www.setonshrine.org or visit the Sisters of Charity website.