The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton invites Americans and people all over the world to reacquaint themselves with the values and lessons of the first native-born U.S. saint on her 250th birthday, August 28, 2024. She was born in New York City in 1774 and eventually made her way to Emmitsburg, Md. in 1809 where she founded the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph’s, the first community of women religious founded in the U.S., and established St. Joseph’s Academy and Free School for girls.
Lauded today as a devout leader and pioneer in Catholic education, Elizabeth Ann Seton relied on her faith to persevere through many hardships in life. She had a lonely childhood, losing her mother at the age of three. She married William Seton at age 19 and had five children with him. But she was widowed in 1803. Two of her daughters also died. When she converted to Catholicism in 1805, many friends and family members disapproved and turned away from her.
“She endured profound grief, financial stress and an uncertain future and through it all she and the Sisters poured their energy into serving others,” said Rob Judge, Executive Director at the Shrine. “We celebrate her birthday every year and on this 250th birthday we invite everyone to focus on her example of faith and service as they navigate through the tough times in their own lives and to reach out to others in need.”
On August 25, visitors to the Shrine celebrated her birthday by attending Mass with a special back-to-school blessing of student’s backpacks, touring the historic homes and museum, and playing games from the early 1800s. They also had the opportunity to watch a dramatization of a 15-year-old Elizabeth describing her daily life in two separate performances.
Eleanora Lipani, an au pair from Milan, Italy who attended the birthday celebrations with the Stohlman family from Clarksburg, Md., said she particularly enjoyed the young Elizabeth performances. Acknowledging that Italy has impressive Cathedrals and other Catholic landmarks, she said she had not seen costumed characters come to life like the Junior Historical Interpreters at the Shrine. “They were amazing,” she said. “This experience brings me closer to God and the saints. I’m becoming more religious,” she said.
Brenda Stohlman said she learned a lot about Elizabeth Ann Seton through the performances and tours, too. “I didn’t know she lost her mother at such a young age. She had a lot of suffering in her life. It was very relatable.”
Today, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s legacy includes 14 religious congregations in the Sisters of Charity Federation who serve others through schools, social service centers and hospitals throughout the world. There are 100 parishes named after her int the U.S. alone, and many other ministries that bear her name. The Shrine is preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of her canonization in 2025.
Pictured above: JHIs Charlotte Howard and Bernadette Hahn interpreting a young Mother Seton and Graham and Jackson Burr, from Fairfield , PA at the Backpack Blessing