St. Elizabeth Ann Seton may be best known as a devoted educator, the first American saint, or even the foundress of the first American congregation of religious sisters, The Sisters of Charity. It may not first come to mind that Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was very much a victim soul, a very good example of giving one’s life, trials, and heartaches to the Lord and uniting them with His cross. Her life was riddled with twists and turns that she could have never expected, yet she embraced them through grace and with dignity at every turn. She is really the perfect example of accepting and living the will of God in one’s life. With each new turn, her faith grew and the life that God had in mind for her specifically, took shape and form.
Elizabeth Ann Seton did not exactly set out to become an educator, or even a nun. Her life began quite amicably as the daughter of prestigious parents and later the wife of a prominent husband in both business and society. But worldly happiness started to fade as the business struggled leading to bankruptcy and poverty. Elizabeth mothered five children with her husband, two she would later bury prematurely only within years after the untimely death of her husband, William from tuberculosis. In the midst of these losses and financial burdens, however, Elizabeth found the TRUE faith, converting to Catholicism from her Episcopalian upbringing, much to the dismay and later persecution of her family and former friends.
Elizabeth persevered! How quickly this convert understood and embraced her Catholic faith, embraced her cross, accepting these persecutions and difficulties and moving forward in God’s will!
In addition, Elizabeth gained a mother, her true mother, Our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her earthly mother died when she was just a little toddler and her stepmother rejected her and her biological sister. Through her introduction to the Catholic faith, Elizabeth discovered that she was not a motherless child, yet the beautiful and loved daughter of Mary, The Blessed Mother! Mary became her rock and she would turn to her with every need.
In God’s providence Elizabeth became involved in education, slowly at first and then with the help of the Sulpicians she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s and later St. Joseph’s Academy and Free School for the impoverished.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton lived a life of service and faith. As we enter in to this new year, look to St. Elizabeth and ask for her intercession when you encounter difficulty. Ask God to reveal His will for you in your life, and accept it. Unite your sufferings to the cross. Implore the Blessed Virgin Mary for help, knowing that you are never alone. Hold on to your faith and walk in it like this beautiful Saint!
-Thea J. Parsons
