St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Passion for God, Compassion for the Poor and a Zeal for Souls.

1/4/2013

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along with the sisters who joined her, Elizabeth endured many hardships. The buildings were in a state of disrepair, the winters were cold, and there was little food. Nevertheless, as a result of the mortification often practiced by Elizabeth and the other sisters, their yoke seemed easy and their burden felt light. They lived in the freedom and joy experienced in a simple and peaceful life of holy abandonment to God's will.

Against her wishes, Elizabeth was elected superior of the new community at Emmitsburg, which, with a few modifications, followed the rule of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Mother Seton, now with 18 sisters at her side, together took their vows on 19 July 1813. From then on the community began to flourish, doing many works of charity, and came to be known with great respect and admiration.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's life showed forth a deep passion for love of God, compassion for the poor, and a holy zeal for the salvation of souls. Perhaps, on her providential exposure to the Catholic Faith, a desire for the consecrated, religious life surfaced as she fell in love with the profound ritual and the holy, pious silence so characteristic of the Catholic life in the Spirit.

Although the religious life of a convent would be impractical for a widow with children, St. Elizabeth continuously embraced just such a life as best her circumstances would allow. She is remembered for her many sacrifices, as well as for her love of teaching the poor children; for her gift of intellect; for her humility and mortification; for her perseverance; and for her unwavering dedication to the holy dwelling place of mother Catholic Church. She will stand forever as an example of true Christian discipleship.

After suffering from a pulmonary disease, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton died at Emmitsburg, Maryland, on 4 January 1821. Beatified in 1963, she was canonized on 14 September 1975, by Pope Paul VI, and thus became the first American born saint.

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F. K. Bartels is a Catholic writer who knows the Catholic Church offers the fullest means of salvation; therefore his Catholic Faith is one of the greatest gifts a man could ever receive. He is a contributing writer for Catholic Online. Visit him also at joyintruth.com
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, first American born saint, St. Seton, conversion to the Catholic Faith, beauty of Catholicism, wife, mother, feminist, religious, foundress, holiness, F. K. Bartels

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1 - 2 of 2 Comments

Michael Hammer
4 months ago
I have visited Emmitsburg several times and will continue to go back. You can feel the presence of her spirit around the ground and the Grotto. This has to be one of the top 3 best Northeast coast destinations to visit and enjoy peace, beauty, and tranquility.
mike robertson
4 months ago
Would that Catholic democrats would read more about Elizabeth. Perhaps our country could have avoided the road on which we are headed. God has not instructed us in His word or in the oral tradition of His Church that a gargantuan Welfare Empire is the way to alleviate poverty. Catholic democrat-supported candidates have given us this pagan system which rewards dropping out of high school, engaging in sexual immorality, having children out of wedlock and idleness at home. The number of people relying on government confiscation of the fruits of someone else's labor continues to rise. Candidates supported by Catholic democrats welcome this system because it guarantees future political support for them. There is no incentive for creation of new wealth and hiring of people like me who want to work. God's system would involve societal pressure to have children stay in school and pressure to not have children until people are married. God also says if one does not work, he or she should not eat. No wonder that the Catholic democrats' most recent candidate for the highest elected office eliminated workfare requirements for recipients of welfare. No wonder either that he voted for the killing of girls and boys outside of their mom's womb even after they survived the attempt to kill them in the womb.

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