By Dennis Conley
(50 for 50 series) There are certain days that linger in our memories, vivid and bright no matter how many years have passed. For me, September 14, 1975, is one of those days—a golden, sunlit day in Emmitsburg, Maryland, that felt touched by something special in recognition of the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. In addition, the morning air was charged with excitement as Governor Marvin Mandel and his entourage were arriving by helicopter.
That day, I attended the 11:00 a.m. Mass, a service made even more meaningful because my father was singing as part of St. Paul’s choir from Damascus, Maryland. Sitting in the pews, surrounded by the soaring voices of the choir, I felt a profound sense of connection—not just to my family, but to the larger Seton community.
Emmitsburg had become a familiar place to me, as I had just completed my freshman year at Mount Saint Mary’s. The campus, with its rolling hills and sense of history, had already started to feel like a second home.
But my connection to Elizabeth Ann Seton began even earlier, when my family lived in Shrub Oak, New York. We were parishioners at what was then Blessed Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. It was there that I first learned about the remarkable woman who would become America’s first native-born saint. I celebrated my first reconciliation and communion in that church—milestones that deepened my appreciation for her legacy.
Of all the sacred places associated with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the shrine remains my favorite. Nestled along Route 15, it’s a place where time seems to slow down. I find myself drawn there again and again, whether I’m seeking a moment of quiet prayer, reflection, or simply the peace that comes from being surrounded by natural beauty. The shrine is where Saint Elizabeth herself once taught, and you can still feel her presence in the gentle rustle of leaves and the hush of the spring.
Whenever my travels take me near Emmitsburg, I try to stop by the shrine. Each visit is a chance to reconnect—with my faith, with cherished memories, and with the enduring spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
50 for 50 is a series of stories, quotes, clips, photos, and/or devotional statements from ordinary people to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton as the first native-born American saint.