Elizabeth Ann Seton: First American-Born Saint

Elizabeth Ann Seton was a wife and mother who was widowed at the age of 29 in 1803. Despite great hardships, she went on to do amazing work, and eventually became the first American-born saint in 1975.
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Join a Virtual Guided Tour of the Seton Shrine!
Explore the Seton Shrine FREE, without leaving your home, with an expert guide.
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Virtually visit The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
We welcome you to virtually explore our site dedicated to Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint.
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The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Join the Seton Shrine's $7 Million Capital Campaign

'A New Century of Charity' marks the 200th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s death

This historic campaign will fund a new Museum and Visitors Center, expand our Seeds of Hope Retreats program for the poor, and strengthen the Shrine's ministries that spread Mother Seton's intercession and her message of faith and hope to a world in need of God's healing love.

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Join the Seton Shrine's $7 Million Capital Campaign

'A New Century of Charity' marks the 200th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s death

Learn more

'Seeker to Saint' Explores Mother Seton's Love Story

Watch 'Storybook Romance' the latest video in the series

Before she was Mother Seton, she was Mrs. Seton. The latest video explores the intimate and heartfelt relationship between Elizabeth and William.

Watch it now

'Seeker to Saint' Explores Mother Seton's Love Story

Watch 'Storybook Romance' the latest video in the series

Before she was Mother Seton, she was Mrs. Seton. The latest video explores the intimate and heartfelt relationship between Elizabeth and William.

Watch it now

Seton Family Treasures

A new exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of Mother Seton

In what promises to be one of the biggest Catholic cultural events of the summer, the largest collection of rare personal artifacts will go on display July 1st at the Seton Shrine, showcasing the day-to-day life of America’s first native-born saint.

Seton Family Treasures

A new exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of Mother Seton

Oct. 3

Sea Services Mass & Pilgrimage

Join us Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 3:30pm for our Annual Sea Services Pilgrimage and Mass.

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Oct. 7

Outdoor Rosary Procession

Walk around the Historic Grounds in prayer on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

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October

Back from the Dead Cemetery Walks

As you encounter the dead in this powerful faith drama, you’ll be forever-changed!

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Daily

Seton Family Treasures Exhibit Now Open!

Come see the newest exhibit, featuring Mother Seton's original bonnet. Free admission and open daily.

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Every Saturday!

Living History

Our summer living history program is here! Engage Living History Interpreters (many of whom are students) portraying real people from Mother Seton’s world.

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Sun-Fri

Daily Mass & Adoration

Join us for Adoration and Confession Sun-Fri at 12:15pm-1:15pm. Mass is at 1:30pm.

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News

Seton Shrine Featured In Journeys of Hope Podcast Listen to the episode here.
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NEWS RELEASE: The Seton Shrine Launches $7 Million Anniversary Capital Campaign And a big announcement about a new museum.
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Salt + Light Premiers New Series Historia Vitae is a new series featuring the Seton Shrine.
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The Catholic World Report Explores the Art in Seton Family Treasures Sacred art played a critical role in Elizabeth's life.
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Latest Reflections View All →

St. Vincent de Paul and Mother Seton: A Match Made in Heaven

Lisa Lickona | September 27, 2021

St. Vincent de Paul and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton weren’t holy card or fairy-tale figures, but flesh and blood human beings who struggled with earthly dreams. Their lives suggest a way forward for all of us who suffer the tension between a comfortable life in the world and a life thrown open to Christ.

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Learning to Follow with Padre Pio and Mother Seton

Lisa Lickona | September 22, 2021

In Padre Pio and Elizabeth Ann Seton, we see the diversity of the saints, and how the drama of the human soul is expressed in many different ways. But what unites them is their “yes” to God, which unlocks the power of a true disciple of Christ.

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St. Thomas of Villanova and Mother Seton: The Struggle to Do What You Should

Tom Hoopes | September 22, 2021

St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton show us that obedience is the path to great works, and humility is what makes all the other virtues possible.

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In Weakness, Strength: St. Hildegard of Bingen and Mother Seton

Lisa Lickona | September 17, 2021

The lives of St. Hildegard of Bingen and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton show us the paradox of surrender—how fragile human vessels can become sudden and hopeful expressions of God’s own power.

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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Anna O'Neil | September 14, 2021

Mother Seton suffered much during her life, from poverty and social hostility, to the deaths of many loved ones. She persevered and carried on her work, thanks to her faith and courage. But through it all, she always accepted her own weakness, knowing that the true source of her strength was the Crucified Christ.

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Beginning a New School Year with Our Lady and Mother Seton

Danielle Bean | September 7, 2021

No matter what our family and its educational choices look like, God teaches and forms us through our daily struggle to love and serve those closest to us.

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All the Way Through the Darkness with Jesus: St. Teresa of Calcutta and Mother Seton

Lisa Lickona | September 5, 2021

In their lives, Mother Teresa and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton experienced darkness that opened up the possibility of serving others in new ways, to bring the light of heaven to those in darkness on earth.

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5 Things St. Gregory the Great and Mother Seton Had in Common

Tom Hoopes | September 3, 2021

The wisdom of the Saints transcends time and place, as we see in the lives of St. Gregory the Great and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Separated by 1,200 years, each Saint lived in tumultuous times, balancing action and contemplation in ways that are relevant in any age.

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St. Augustine and Mother Seton Dared to Ask—“Lord, Who Are You to Me?”

Elizabeth Scalia | August 28, 2021

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was a woman of great works, but she was also a mystic. Like Saint Augustine, her restlessness led her to open her heart fully to God, to ask the most essential questions about her very being, knowing that she could fully trust in His answers.

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Saint for a New Nation: The Uncommon Docility of Elizabeth Ann Seton

Lisa Lickona | August 28, 2021

God calls forth new saints in every place and in every age. He needs only what he needed at Nazareth, when Mary first said “yes”—a willing heart. For the United States, he found such a heart in Elizabeth Ann Seton.

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St. Monica and Mother Seton: Joined in Joyous Surrender

Elizabeth Scalia | August 26, 2021

Letting go of fear and the desire to control our own lives leads to the true detachment and peace that mark the lives of Christ’s followers.

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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Louis IX: Christian Leaders

Tom Hoopes | August 25, 2021

Despite the obvious differences of gender, social status, nationality and historical era, Elizabeth Ann Seton and King Louis IX of France shared a common vision based on faith. They modeled their lives on Love itself.

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Home of the First American-Born Saint

Discover the inspirational life and legacy of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Seton Shrine Museum

Begin your visit with a brief film about Elizabeth Ann Seton and browsing our exhibits. including our latest, Sisters Today: A World of Difference.

The Basilica

Awe-inspiring and amazing are a few words people have used to describe the Basilica.

Civil War Sisters

Discover how the Daughters and Sisters of Charity continued Elizabeth Ann Seton’s ministry of charity, helping those who were in need or wounded during the Civil War.

The Stone Farmhouse

Step back in time while you tour the Stone House, which was originally built in the mid-1700s.

Historic St. Joseph's House

This historic home was built in 1810 when Elizabeth Ann Seton realized one home wasn’t enough for all that she had in mind.

St. Joseph's Cemetery

In 1809, Mother Seton and her companions took a walk through the dense woods on their property to select a site for a cemetery.

The First American-Born Saint

Elizabeth Ann Seton was a wife and mother, and then found herself a widow at just 29 years old in 1803. Despite the hardships that she faced, she went on to do amazing work, and eventually became the first American-born saint in 1975. Visit this historic site and Shrine and see the museum, her historic homes, and the Basilica dedicated to her.

Explore the Shrine

Elizabeth Ann Seton

The First American-Born Saint

Explore the Shrine

Elizabeth Ann Seton: First American-Born Saint

Join a Virtual Guided Tour of the Seton Shrine!

Virtually visit The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Phone lines are down

'A New Century of Charity' marks the 200th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s death

'A New Century of Charity' marks the 200th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s death

Watch 'Storybook Romance' the latest video in the series

Watch 'Storybook Romance' the latest video in the series

A new exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of Mother Seton

A new exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of Mother Seton

What's Coming Up View Full Calendar →

News

Latest Reflections View All →

Home of the First American-Born Saint

Seton Shrine Museum

The Basilica

Civil War Sisters

The Stone Farmhouse

Historic St. Joseph's House

St. Joseph's Cemetery

Elizabeth Ann Seton

The First American-Born Saint

Elizabeth Ann Seton

The First American-Born Saint