This past week, on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, our Parish Patroness – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – turned 250 years old. The daughter of the surgeon Richard Bayley and his wife Catherine Charlton, Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born in New York City on August 28, 1774. She married her husband William Magee Seton at the age of 19. The couple had five children, though – on an overseas trip to Italy, William Seton died of "consumption" (now known as tuberculosis) in 1803.

Though she was raised as an Episcopalian, it was through William Seton's Italian business partners, Filippo and Antonio Filicchi, that the recently-widowed Elizabeth was introduced to the Catholic faith and the devout piety of the Catholic faithful. She was moved by their devotion towards the Blessed Sacrament. Indeed, it was the Lord himself, who was calling Elizabeth Ann Seton to the Fullness of Truth through the gift of the Eucharist. Upon her return to New York City, Elizabeth Ann Seton was received into the Catholic Church on March 14, 1805.

Though there is more to her story, it is enough in these words to note that the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton provides for us a model for us to follow. Indeed, as our Parish Patroness, she provides for us an examples of how to live out the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

(1) Mother Seton: Woman of Faith

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton took her faith seriously. She followed the call of the Lord to enter into the Catholic Church, to devote her life to serving the Lord as a Woman of Faith. She believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. She corresponded to the graces offered to her. She chose to believe in his Divine Revelation and his special mission for her.

(2) Mother Seton: Woman of Hope

Her hope was anchored in the Lord and the works He would do in her and in her community.

Although she faced many hardships – both in her family life and in the works of religion – her hope was anchored in the Lord and the works He would do in her and in her community. Suffering the loss of her husband and two of her children, Mother Seton still clung to the Cross as her only hope. Even as her newly-formed community of women religious encountered difficulties as it grew and developed, she lived out her life's mission knowing that the Lord was the source of her mission, and would see it through.

(3) Mother Seton: Woman of Charity

She offered her life as a living sacrifice, giving herself to the Church, to the poor, and to the outcasts. Mother Seton's life of charity and selfless service was nourished by the Eucharist. Educating the poor and the needy, Mother Seton saw this as one of the greatest gifts she could give them: a good education. Through the various communities of women religious she founded, Mother Seton was steadfast in her commitment to serving others, particularly the poor. She did all of this with great love - the Love of God which was given to Mother Seton – and this Love was given out in her life's work.

May our parish continue to seek the intercession and assistance of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, or Parish Patroness, that we may also be strengthened in the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!