Almost to the day, 217 years ago, on March 23, 1809, Elizabeth Seton wrote from Baltimore to Julia Scott. She described “…the joy of my soul at the prospect of being able to assist the poor, visit the sick, comfort the sorrowful, clothe little innocents, and teach them to love God.”
Today we are about to witness the story (and share in the joy) of that dream-come-true in abundance, and in ways that Mother Seton could never have imagined.
It’s FITTING that we gather today: 1) ON the FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH – It was on this very soil, St. Joseph’s Valley, where St. Elizabeth Seton began the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s in 1809.
We gather 2) in MARCH, WOMEN’s HISTORY MONTH, to honor a sampling of incredibly committed, dedicated, gifted women.
We gather 3) in this year when our nation marks the 250th anniversary of its founding. It seems most fitting to lift up & to celebrate the lasting contributions that Catholic religious women made to the people of this nation, and of many other countries as well.
In the Shrine’s new exhibit, Do the Good, we will meet women who are members of the 13 religious congregations in the U.S. and Canada who make up the Sisters of Charity Federation.
Eight of the congregations trace their roots to Elizabeth Seton; all 13 congregations follow the Rule written by Saints Vincent de Paul & Louise de Marillac, the Rule that commits them – us – to offer “every service in their power” for everyone in need.
To meet that near-impossible mandate, these women drew their courage from one unfailing source: “Jesus Christ, source and model of all charity."
In the most dire circumstances, they served with firm, even fierce, trust that (as Elizabeth Seton said): “God will provide, that is all my comfort, never did that providence fail me.”
“Do the good” takes many forms: Sometimes, to “do the good” meant rolling up sleeves and giving direct service to those in need.
Sometimes, it meant asking “Why? What keeps some people from access to decent food, education, medical care, housing?”
It meant raising deeper questions, examining why people lived in poverty, then working to change structures that kept them there. It meant building coalitions, bringing the needs of those in poverty to the attention of those in power – all in service to “doing the good”.
Sisters as Symbols – Sisters and Daughters of Charity have served people from the whole panorama of languages, colors and cultures that make up these United States of America.
Each served with humildad: not to get her name on the evening news, but because they saw a need, and they recognized that Christ was calling them to do what was before them to do.
Each served with simplicity: straightforward response to need. They built bridges of relationship; they also didn’t hesitate to complain and cajole, if need be, and so to cut through layers of bureaucracy. They brought the powerful face to face with the powerless; they forged bonds of community across barriers.
Each served with charity: in the Civil War: they nursed soldiers of both sides. Whatever the need, they responded, regardless of race, color, creed, or political stance. They saw each person as created and beloved by God.
Humility, simplicity, charity: hallmarks of every Sister/Daughter who is featured. Each symbolizes hundreds of others – equally unique and diverse. Their contributions to this nation and its well-being cannot be measured.
The mission of Charity continues
The work of Jesus continues; there is still plenty of good to be done. That mission still animates those in the 13 SC Federation communities. The fire of Charity also impels our lay partners and associates – many of you here present – who now carry forward the flame in a time that desperately needs your vision, your faith, your talents and skills.
And – speaking of faith and talent – let me offer special thanks to Rob Judge, Becca Corbell, Lisa Donahue, Carolyn Ferguson, and all on the Shrine staff & production team, whose energy and creativity imagined and produced this exhibit that we are about to experience.