Homily: January 4 - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Saint Elizabeth was from a wealthy Episcopalian family in Manhattan in New York; she received an excellent education.  In 1794, Elizabeth married William Seton, with whom she had five children.  Unfortunate circumstances led to the family losing their wealth, and having to go stay with some Catholic friends in Italy.

Even more unfortunate is that William died of Tuberculosis after just six weeks in Italy.

In that time of great loss, the compassion her Catholic friends showed her brought her great comfort, and she saw a great difference in the way that the Catholic families in Italy were dealing with death and loss and the protestants back in new York—how they were nourished by the sacraments and the company of the Saints.

Elizabeth began to feel very attracted to the Catholic faith and especially to the Eucharist and through growing love of the Blessed Mother.

Despite stern opposition from her Episcopalian friends, she became Catholic on March 4, 1805.

Here’s a woman who became Catholic and ultimately a saint because she was treated with great kindness by Catholics at moments of great tragedy—Catholics who were simply living their faith with deep devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin.

The Opening prayer referred to Saint Elizabeth’s “burning zeal to find God”.  Despite difficulty, hostility towards her faith, she sought after the truth that would change her life and make her a devoted servant of God’s kingdom.

Elizabeth went on to work for the conversion of souls as the foundress of the first religious congregation having its origin in the United States—the Sister of Charity.   She basically founded the Catholic School System in the United States.

A wife, mother, widow, impoverished single-mother, foundress, educator, social minister, and spiritual leader, Elizabeth Seton was the first person born in the United States to become a canonized saint.

Saint Elizabeth wrote, “We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.”

May this first canonized Saint native to the United States help us to come to that holy life God desires for us, and know the grace of God which carries us through every obstacle and difficulty for the glory of God and salvation of souls.