The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

ONE OF US: The Making of an American Saint

See the Seton Shrine Museum’s Newest Exhibit

This new exhibit chronicles Elizabeth Ann Seton’s path to sainthood. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of her canonization by Pope Paul VI. In addition to the canonization decree, visitors can see artifacts, photos, proclamations, personal scrapbooks, videos, and more.

Plan a Pilgrimage to the Seton Shrine

There has never been a better time to walk in the shoes of an American saint

Many groups and individuals make pilgrimages to the Seton Shrine. This year is special, marking the 50th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization and the Shrine is working with the Camino or Maryland and finalizing other organized walks.

Seeking Peace with Saint Colette and Mother Seton

Danielle Bean | March 6, 2025

St. Colette and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton were great organizers of religious communities who found peace in the presence of God, no matter the trials they suffered or the challenges they faced.

God is Mine and I Am His – Finding Joy in Lent with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth Scalia | March 5, 2025

If we really understood Lent, we would be as enthralled with Ash Wednesday as Mother Seton was. It is through our Lenten journey inward into “the great empty” that we encounter God and meet our authentic selves.

Katharine Drexel and Elizabeth Ann Seton—”Sister Saints” Who Changed Education in the United States Forever

Danielle Bean | March 2, 2025

These two brave and unselfish women devoted their lives to educating poor children and ministering to the needy. We can see their legacies today in the religious communities they founded, and the thousands of Catholic schools across our nation.

Sister Blandina, Mother Seton, and the Power of the Western Hero

Tom Hoopes | February 23, 2025

Servant of God Blandina Segale’s ministry in the American West as a Sister of Charity, and Mother Seton’s experiences founding her community in Emmitsburg, share much in common with classic western movies. In both their stories, Jesus is the true hero.

To Follow the Pope, as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Did

Tom Hoopes | February 22, 2025

St. Peter is honored because despite his weaknesses he loved and followed Jesus and became the first pope. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton also chose a difficult path when she answered God’s call and entered the Catholic Church. Like St. Peter, Mother Seton’s humility became her greatest glory.

The Fierce Faith of Sts. Francisco, Jacinta and Elizabeth Ann Seton

Danielle Bean | February 20, 2025

Like Mother Seton, the young saints Francisco and Jacinta were given the grace and strength to do what God called them to do with fierceness of faith. They had perfect trust in Him who died for our sins.

Venerable Jan Tyranowski and Mother Seton: When Lay People Help Create Saints

Tom Hoopes | March 15, 2025

Elizabeth Ann Seton and John Paul II may not have become saints without the early influence of devoted lay people who spiritually mentored them along the path to Christ.

Saint Matilda and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: Two Widows Who Show Us The Power of Trusting in God

Danielle Bean | March 14, 2025

St. Matilda of Ringelheim and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton were each widowed early. Their legacies speak to the importance of trusting in God to do great things with us and through us, regardless of our circumstances.

Embracing God Through Hard Times with St. Seraphina and Mother Seton

Danielle Bean | March 12, 2025

As we journey through Lent, we can look to St. Seraphina and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to strengthen our desire to follow God’s will for our lives. God was their all. Whatever the circumstances, they turned themselves over to Him, uniting all their sufferings to Christ.

St. John Ogilvie and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Heroic Witnesses to Christ’s Church

Tom Hoopes | March 10, 2025

John Ogilvie and Mother Seton were courageous saints of Scottish heritage. Each in their own way, they witnessed to Christ in their native lands in the face of hostility to the Catholic Church.

Two Remarkable Women, One Path: St. Frances of Rome and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth Scalia | March 9, 2025

Frances of Rome and Elizabeth Ann Seton were very different women who took similar paths to sainthood. They each received the grace to found religious communities, by praying without ceasing, and trusting in God’s plan for their lives, no matter the circumstances they encountered.

Saint John of God, Mother Seton, and the Extraordinary Gift of Being Faithful in Ordinary Things

Danielle Bean | March 8, 2025

Saint John of God and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton show us that not all sacrifices have to be big and dramatic to be holy. Extraordinary sacrifice can be found in the ordinary events of life.

Seeking Peace with Saint Colette and Mother Seton

Danielle Bean | March 6, 2025

St. Colette and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton were great organizers of religious communities who found peace in the presence of God, no matter the trials they suffered or the challenges they faced.

God is Mine and I Am His – Finding Joy in Lent with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth Scalia | March 5, 2025

Katharine Drexel and Elizabeth Ann Seton—”Sister Saints” Who Changed Education in the United States Forever

Danielle Bean | March 2, 2025

Sister Blandina, Mother Seton, and the Power of the Western Hero

Tom Hoopes | February 23, 2025

To Follow the Pope, as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Did

Tom Hoopes | February 22, 2025

The Fierce Faith of Sts. Francisco, Jacinta and Elizabeth Ann Seton

Danielle Bean | February 20, 2025

Venerable Jan Tyranowski and Mother Seton: When Lay People Help Create Saints

Tom Hoopes | March 15, 2025

Elizabeth Ann Seton and John Paul II may not have become saints without the early influence of devoted lay people who spiritually mentored them along the path to Christ.

Saint Matilda and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: Two Widows Who Show Us The Power of Trusting in God

Danielle Bean | March 14, 2025

Embracing God Through Hard Times with St. Seraphina and Mother Seton

Danielle Bean | March 12, 2025

St. John Ogilvie and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Heroic Witnesses to Christ’s Church

Tom Hoopes | March 10, 2025

John Ogilvie and Mother Seton were courageous saints of Scottish heritage. Each in their own way, they witnessed to Christ in their native lands in the face of hostility to the Catholic Church.

Two Remarkable Women, One Path: St. Frances of Rome and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth Scalia | March 9, 2025

Saint John of God, Mother Seton, and the Extraordinary Gift of Being Faithful in Ordinary Things

Danielle Bean | March 8, 2025

Saint John of God and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton show us that not all sacrifices have to be big and dramatic to be holy. Extraordinary sacrifice can be found in the ordinary events of life.

Into God’s Light | Fear: Who can I trust? Will I ever feel safe?

Paula Huston | April 13, 2024

Week Two | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Confusion: Who Am I? What Is My Path?

Paula Huston | April 6, 2024

Week One | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Translators of the Holy Spirit: Elizabeth Seton and Les Murray

Elisabeth Kramp | November 26, 2022

The saint and the poet lived and wrote to communicate God’s glory and intimacy with humankind.

Children of the Church: Elizabeth Seton, Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi

Elisabeth Kramp | October 14, 2022

Their boundless capacity for love, friendship and wonder deepened our understanding of the spirituality of children forever.

In Praise of Holy Women

Paul Mariani | September 23, 2022

Elizabeth Ann Seton was twenty-years old when the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne were executed during the French Revolution. A century and a half later Francois Poulenc would tell the world their story in his sublime opera, Dialogues des Carmelites.

Caring for the Poor: Frank Capra and Elizabeth Seton

Peggy Rosenthal | September 9, 2022

The mid-twentieth century immigrant film director and the early-nineteenth century saint born into Manhattan’s elite shared a deep concern for society’s poor and outcasts that was grounded in their Catholic faith.

From Worldliness to Wilderness: Evagrius of Pontus and Elizabeth Seton

Paula Huston | January 16, 2025

Evagrius and Mother Seton shared a passion for mastering the inner life. Their struggles with powerful emotions led to profound insights into authentic love and holiness.

Into God’s Light | Powerlessness: Why is there evil and suffering? How can I make a difference?

Paula Huston | May 19, 2024

Week Seven | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Hopelessness: Does my life matter? How do I find happiness?

Paula Huston | May 12, 2024

Week Six | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Shame: Why do I feel unworthy? How do I gain self-respect?

Paula Huston | May 5, 2024

Week Five | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Abandonment: Why am I alone? Where do I belong?

Paula Huston | April 28, 2024

Week Four | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Rejection: Who can I love? Who will accept me as I am?

Paula Huston | April 20, 2024

Week Three | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Fear: Who can I trust? Will I ever feel safe?

Paula Huston | April 13, 2024

Week Two | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Confusion: Who Am I? What Is My Path?

Paula Huston | April 6, 2024

Week One | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Translators of the Holy Spirit: Elizabeth Seton and Les Murray

Elisabeth Kramp | November 26, 2022

The saint and the poet lived and wrote to communicate God’s glory and intimacy with humankind.

Children of the Church: Elizabeth Seton, Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi

Elisabeth Kramp | October 14, 2022

Their boundless capacity for love, friendship and wonder deepened our understanding of the spirituality of children forever.

In Praise of Holy Women

Paul Mariani | September 23, 2022

Caring for the Poor: Frank Capra and Elizabeth Seton

Peggy Rosenthal | September 9, 2022

From Worldliness to Wilderness: Evagrius of Pontus and Elizabeth Seton

Paula Huston | January 16, 2025

Evagrius and Mother Seton shared a passion for mastering the inner life. Their struggles with powerful emotions led to profound insights into authentic love and holiness.

Into God’s Light | Powerlessness: Why is there evil and suffering? How can I make a difference?

Paula Huston | May 19, 2024

Week Seven | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Hopelessness: Does my life matter? How do I find happiness?

Paula Huston | May 12, 2024

Week Six | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Shame: Why do I feel unworthy? How do I gain self-respect?

Paula Huston | May 5, 2024

Week Five | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Abandonment: Why am I alone? Where do I belong?

Paula Huston | April 28, 2024

Week Four | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Into God’s Light | Rejection: Who can I love? Who will accept me as I am?

Paula Huston | April 20, 2024

Week Three | An Easter reflection series with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on the spiritual and mental health crisis afflicting young people.

Home of the First American-Born Saint

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

Seton Shrine Museum

Visit the brand new Seton Shrine Museum with engaging, hands-on technology, new artifacts, and more!

The Basilica

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

Living History

Step back in time to the year 1818 at St. Joseph’s Academy, and engage with our living history interpreters, including our Junior History Interpreters who portrays real students from Mother Seton’s time.

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.

Join Us in Prayer

Virtually visit The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Seton Shrine Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Celebration of Mother Seton’s Canonization

Elizabeth Ann Seton: First American-Born Saint

Join Us in Prayer

Virtually visit The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Seton Shrine Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Celebration of Mother Seton’s Canonization

Elizabeth Ann Seton: First American-Born Saint

The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Please Note: Phone Lines Are Down

What's Coming Up

2025 Marks the 50th Anniversary of the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

See the Seton Shrine Museum’s Newest Exhibit

Experience Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s amazing journey from Seeker to Servant to Saint

There has never been a better time to walk in the shoes of an American saint

Seton Shrine will share resources and ideas for visiting or creating local events

Her influence is widespread and relevant today

News

Latest Reflections

Seton & Culture