EMMITSBURG, Md. (CNS) \u2014 The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg is launching a series of initiatives to expand awareness of first U.S.-born saint, it announced Jan. 4, on the saint\u2019s feast day.<\/p>\n
The initiatives build on the momentum of a yearlong commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the saint\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderlying all that we do at the shrine is the strong belief that Mother Seton does not belong to the past. She belongs to all of us today and all those in the future who seek greater meaning in their lives and a friend in heaven,\u201d said Rob Judge, executive director of the shrine.<\/p>\n
The initiatives for 2022 include a series of essays, continued retreats and an added at-home retreat, an emailed prayer program and the renovation of the shrine\u2019s museum and visitors center.<\/p>\n
The shrine will publish on its website a bi-weekly series of spiritual essays profiling Catholic artists, novelists, poets and visionaries, from the perspective of St. Elizabeth Seton\u2019s life and spirituality.<\/p>\n
The first essay by Catholic poet Paul Mariani describes the sensations of a concerto and the profound feelings it elicits through the eyes of Thomas Merton and Mother Seton.<\/p>\n
Other essays will highlight the poet and Catholic convert Denise Levertov and former actress Mother Dolores Hart.<\/p>\n