#saint elizabeth ann seton

[portraitsofsaints]

Happy Feast Day

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

1774-1821

Feast day: January 4

Patronage: Catholic Schools

Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase. (website)

[xdivinedecay]

✧ Patron Saints for the New Year

In your prayers for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, American Catholics and Christians might like to consider invoking the intercession of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who among other attributions is regarded as the Patron Saint of New Beginnings. This is usually credited to her being the first (United States) American-born Catholic that was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. (Not to be confused with the first Indigenous American canonized saint, St. Kateri Tekakwitha.) St. Elizabeth was a pioneer of girls' education in early America, opening the first free school for girls in Baltimore, Maryland in 1808. Next, she started the Sisters of Charity, the first religious order for women, in 1809. Following on, she continued to open hospitals, orphanages, and even more schools.

While researching patron saints for new beginnings, I discovered an article about St. Lazarus Devasahayam, a Hindu-born man who converted to Christianity in the 18th century, and the first Indian layperson to be canonized as a saint (in 2022). He might be someone to consider looking into if his life and history sound appealing to you, I found an article about him through Vatican News.

And to recognize the new Jubilee Year of Hope from December 2024 until January 2026, I would be remiss not to mention St. Jude Thaddeus, one of the apostles as well as the Patron Saint of Hope (and Desperate Causes). Given the social and political climates occurring all over the world, he is a great resource for comfort, strength, and hope. Additionally, his mother was a cousin to the Mother Mary, meaning he shared a blood-tie to the human Jesus. According to Catholic.org, "Roman Catholics invoke St. Jude when in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances -just as their forefathers had done before them; therefore, he is the patron saint of desperate cases."

Of course, remember to connect with the Holy Spirit, to Jesus, and to the rest of your patrons during this time!

I hope you all have a happy and safe new year holiday, and that we find strength, courage, and love for one another in 2025.

More lists of patron saints — Patron Saints for your Problems • Patron Saints for World Mental Health Day • Patron Saints for US Election Aftermath

Image edits by xdivinedecay • cross dividers by animatedglittergraphics-n-more

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (January 4)

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the foundress and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States. 

She was born to Episcopalian parents into New York City high society on 28 August 1774.

Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, was the first professor of anatomy at Columbia College and praised for his work as the health officer of the Port of New York. 

Her mother, Catherine Charlton, daughter of an Anglican minister of Staten Island, died when Elizabeth was three years old, leaving her and two other young daughters.

Elizabeth was married on 25 January 1794 in St. Paul's Episcopalian Church to William Magee Seton. 

When his father died, they took over custody of William's seven half brothers and sisters, as well as the family's importing business.

William fell into financial troubles and later died of tuberculosis in December 1803 in Pisa, Italy, while attempting to get help from his business friends.

After getting to know the Catholic Church in Italy, Elizabeth fasted and prayed for light.

Finally, on Ash Wednesday, 14 March 1805, she was received into the Church.

Her conversion unleashed a storm among her Protestant relatives and friends, and made her financial strains even greater. 

In January 1806, Cecilia Seton, Elizabeth's young sister-in-law, became very ill and begged to see the ostracized convert and told her of her desire to become a Catholic.

When Cecilia's decision was known, threats were made to have Mrs. Seton expelled from the state by the Legislature. 

On her recovery, Cecilia fled to Elizabeth for refuge and was received into the Church.

Elizabeth moved to Baltimore in 1808, and with the help of a Catholic convert, a farm was purchased two miles from Mt. St. Mary's College.

Mrs. Seton took vows privately before Archbishop Carroll and her daughter Anna.

In 1810, Bishop Flaget was commissioned to obtain in France the rules of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

The rule, with some modifications, was approved by Archbishop Carroll in January 1812 and adopted. 

Mrs. Seton was elected superior against her will and despite the fact that she also had to care for her children. 

Many joined the community, including Mother Seton's daughter, Anna, who died during her novitiate (12 March 1812) but had been permitted to pronounce her vows on her deathbed.

Mother Seton and eighteen sisters made their vows on 19 July 1813.

The third time she was elected superior in 1819, she protested that it was the "election of the dead."

However, she lived for two years more, finally succuming to a pulmonary infection. 

She died on 4 January 1821 in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

In 1880, Cardinal Gibbons (then Archbishop) urged the steps be taken toward her canonization.

Elizabeth Ann Seton was beatified by Pope John XXIII on 17 March 1963.

She was canonized by Pope Paul VI on 14 September 1975.

[allsaints-daily-specials]

Allsaint’s Cafe Daily Special for January 4: Eggs Elizabeth Ann Seton

As patron saint of Maryland and Luisiana, eggs EAS is served as english muffins topped with cajun crab cakes and poached eggs with hollandaise. Also for her patronage of widowhood, widows eat free

[daily-praise]

Today’s Reflection

Today we witness a series of peaceful transitions, which begins with John whose focus in life was on Jesus, because he is the one that must increase, which motivates two of John’s disciples to action. Because these two disciples, Andrew being one, approach Jesus and in turn, Jesus invites them to come and see and with this invitation, a new transition occurs for Andrew has found the Messiah. Therefore, he brings his brother that is Peter to the Messiah and with these transitions, these encounters, Andrew and Peter’s lives change that allows ‘fishermen’ to become saints. This is also true of us for whenever we look toward and have an authentically encounter with Jesus, our lives will change and this change will always be for the better. Thus, let us accept the invitation of Jesus, and come and see the goodness of the Lord.

Today’s Spiritual Links for January 04, 2025

National Eucharistic Review Today’s Mas Readings Today’s Reflection Rosary Liturgy of the Hours New American Bible Non-Scriptural Reading Prime Matters

[mothermarysprotection]

Today's Catholic Gospel Reading & Mass Reflection - Christmas, Thursday,...

[catholic-saint-tournament]

About St Therese of Lisieux (left)

About St Elizabeth Ann Seton (right)

Modern Bracket Round 1

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON The Patroness of Catholic Schools, Shreveport, Louisiana and the State of Maryland Feast Day: January 4

"The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is his will."

The first saint in what would become the United States of America, was born Elizabeth Ann Bayley, on August 28, 1774 in New York City to a wealthy Episcopalian family. Elizabeth is the second-born of the family, of a socially prominent couple, a surgeon, Richard Bayley, and Catherine Charlton, the daughter of a Protestant Episcopal minister.

In 1794, Elizabeth, then 19 years old, married a 25 year-old businessman named William Magee Seton, and they were blessed with five children. During their trip to Livorno, Italy in 1803, William died on December 27 due to tuberculosis. Some Catholic friends displayed such a great kindness to the young widow that she became interested in their faith.

Despite a strong opposition from her relatives, she became a Catholic on March 14, 1805, by Matthew O'Brien, the pastor of St. Peter's Church, then the city's only Catholic church. (Anti-Catholic laws had been lifted just a few years before.)

A year later, she received the sacrament of confirmation from the Bishop of Baltimore, John Carroll, the only Catholic bishop in the nation. She opened a grade school in Baltimore, Maryland three years later.

The following year, she established in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the first house of what later grew into the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph (aka Sisters of St. Joseph)

Elected the first superior of the order, she held that office until her death due to tuberculosis in Emmitsburg, Maryland on January 4, 1821 at the age of 46. The Sisters of Charity laid the foundation for the parochial school system in North America.

[reliqueery]

Happy All Saints Day put which saint are you dressing up as this year in the tags.

[incomingalbatross]

Traditional feast days within the Twelve Days of Christmas:

December 25: Christmas Day, the Nativity!

December 26: St. Stephen the first martyr

December 27: St. John the Evangelist

December 28: The Holy Innocents, murdered by Herod

December 29: St. Thomas a Becket and David

December 30: The Feast of the Holy Family (traditionally celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave, but on this day if there is no such Sunday)

December 31: St. Sylvester I, pope during the reign of Constantine and the Council of Nicaea

January 1: Octave-Day of the Nativity, traditionally the Feast of the Circumcision (and now of Mary, Mother of God)

January 2: Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

January 3: Traditionally no particular saint (that I can find)

January 4: Traditionally no particular saint (now St. Elizabeth Ann Seton)

January 5: St. Telesphorus (second-century pope and martyr) and St. Edward the Confessor (King of England 1042-1066)

January 6: Epiphany! Feast of the Coming of the Magi, the Baptism of Our Lord, and the Wedding at Cana

(An eagle-eyed observer may note that there are thirteen days on this list. Opinions differ slightly as to whether the Twelve Days begin on the 26th or end on the 5th, but I don't think it matters terribly.)

(Also I probably missed some feast days.)

[catholicpriestmedia]

"Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Pray for Us!"

📷 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Window in the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Baltimore, USA / #LawrenceOP / #Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED). #Catholic_Priest #CatholicPriestMedia #SaintoftheDay

[catie-does-things]

Litany of American Saints

(Updated 2024)

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Saint Isaac Jogues, pray for us. Saint René Goupil, pray for us. Saint Jean de Lalande, pray for us. All you holy North American Martyrs, pray for us.

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us. Saint John Neumann, pray for us. Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us. Saint Katharine Drexel, pray for us. Saint Mother Théodore Guérin, pray for us. Saint Damien de Veuster of Molokai, pray for us. Saint Marianne Cope of Molokai, pray for us. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us. Saint Junípero Serra, pray for us.

Blessed Eduardo Farre, pray for us. Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, pray for us. Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, pray for us. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, pray for us. Blessed Lucas Tristany, pray for us. Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago, pray for us. Blessed Michael McGivney, pray for us. Blessed Sister Miriam Teresa, pray for us. Blessed Stanley Rother, pray for us. Blessed Solanus Casey, pray for us. Blessed Leo William Miller, pray for us.

Venerable Antonio of Jesus, pray for us. Venerable Nelson Baker, pray for us. Venerable Frederic Baraga, pray for us. Venerable Cornelia Connelly, pray for us. Venerable Henriette DeLille, pray for us. Venerable Teresa Demjanovich, pray for us. Venerable Maria Kaupas, pray for us. Venerable Mary Theresa Dudzik, pray for us. Venerable Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli, pray for us. Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory, pray for us. Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us. Venerable Pierre Toussaint, pray for us. Venerable Félix Varela, pray for us. Venerable Augustus Tolton, pray for us. Venerable Rafael Cordero Molina, pray for us. Venerable Aloysius Schwarz, pray for us. Venerable Alphonse Gallegos, pray for us. Venerable Patrick Peyton, pray for us. Venerable Norbert McAuliffe, pray for us. Venerable Eusebio Kino, pray for us. Venerable Mary Elizabeth Lange, pray for us. Venerable Rose Hawthorne, pray for us.

Lord, be merciful. Lord, save your people. From all evil, Lord, save your people. From all sin, Lord, save your people. From your wrath, Lord, save your people. From injustice, Lord, save your people. From oppression, Lord, save your people. From hatred and intolerance, Lord, save your people. From anger and ill-will, Lord, save your people. From violence and bloodshed, Lord, save your people. From indifference to suffering, Lord, save your people.  From all the snares of the devil, Lord, save your people. By the mystery of your holy Incarnation, Lord, save your people. By your Coming, Lord, save your people. By your Birth, Lord, save your people. By your Baptism and holy fasting, Lord, save your people. By your Cross and Passion, Lord, save your people. By your Death and Burial, Lord save your people. By your holy Resurrection, Lord, save your people. By your wonderful Ascension, Lord, save your people. By the coming of the Holy Spirit, Lord, save your people. On the day of judgment, Lord, save your people.

Be merciful to us sinners, Lord, hear our prayer. That you will spare us, Lord, hear our prayer. That you will pardon us, Lord, hear our prayer. That it may please you to bring us to true penance, Lord, hear our prayer. Guide and protect your Holy Church, Lord, hear our prayer. Preserve in holiness the Pope and all the clergy, Lord, hear our prayer. Humble the enemies of the Church, Lord, hear our prayer. Give peace and unity to the whole Christian people, Lord, hear our prayer. Guide all those who serve us in civil government, Lord, hear our prayer. Protect all those who serve in our armed forces, Lord, hear our prayer. Grant eternal rest to all those who have died in defense of liberty, Lord, hear our prayer. Give courage to those who stand for justice, Lord, hear our prayer. Strengthen and preserve us in your holy service, Lord, hear our prayer. Deliver our souls from eternal damnation, Lord, hear our prayer. Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, Lord, hear our prayer. That it may please you to hear and heed us, Jesus, Son of the Living God, Lord, hear our prayer.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord! Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord! Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. 

[xdivinedecay]

Patron Saints for your problems

If you see a problem you're experiencing down below, pray to the associated saint for intercession to aid you. ♥

Insomnia — St. Peter Damian Headaches — St. Teresa of Avila Illness — St. Raphael the Archangel Chronic illness — St. Lidwina Burnout — St. Thomas Aquinas Animal wellness — St. Francis of Assisi Studying / academia — St. Joseph of Cupertino Housing insecurity — St. Benedict Joseph Labre Anxiety / depression — St. Dymphna Desperation / hopelessness — St. Jude Thaddaeus Loneliness — St. Rita of Cascia Gender identity — St. Joan of Arc Fear / insecurity — St. Michael the Archangel Dysfunctional families — St. Eugene de Mazenod Abuse — St. Monica Grief — St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Financial trouble — St. Matthew Lost items — St. Anthony of Padua Travel / motorists — St. Christopher Spiritual oppression — St. Benedict

banner by animatedglittergraphics-n-more ♥

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (January 4)

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the foundress and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States. 

She was born to Episcopalian parents into New York City high society on 28 August 1774.

Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, was the first professor of anatomy at Columbia College and praised for his work as the health officer of the Port of New York. 

Her mother, Catherine Charlton, daughter of an Anglican minister of Staten Island, New York, died when Elizabeth was three years old, leaving her and two other young daughters.

Elizabeth was married on 25 January 1794 in St. Paul's Episcopalian Church to William Magee Seton. 

When his father died, they took over custody of William's seven half brothers and sisters, as well as the family's importing business.

William fell into financial troubles. He later died of tuberculosis in December 1803 in Pisa, Italy, while attempting to get help from his business friends.

After getting to know the Catholic Church in Italy, Elizabeth fasted and prayed for light.

Finally, on Ash Wednesday, 14 March 1805, she was received into the Church.

Her conversion unleashed a storm among her Protestant relatives and friends, and made her financial strains even greater. 

In January 1806, Cecilia Seton, Elizabeth's young sister-in-law, became very ill and begged to see the ostracized convert and told her of her desire to become a Catholic.

When Cecilia's decision was known, threats were made to have Mrs. Seton expelled from the state by the Legislature. 

On her recovery, Cecilia fled to Elizabeth for refuge and was received into the Church.

Elizabeth moved to Baltimore in 1808, and with the help of a Catholic convert, a farm was purchased two miles from Mt. St. Mary's College.

Mrs. Seton took vows privately before Archbishop Carroll and her daughter Anna.

In 1810, Bishop Flaget was commissioned to obtain in France the rules of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

The rule, with some modifications, was approved by Archbishop Carroll in January 1812 and adopted. 

Mrs. Seton was elected superior against her will and despite the fact that she also had to care of her children. 

Many joined the community, including Mother Seton's daughter, Anna, who died during her novitiate (12 March 1812) but had been permitted to pronounce her vows on her deathbed.

Mother Seton and eighteen sisters made their vows on 19 July 1813.

The third time she was elected superior in 1819, she protested that it was the "election of the dead," but she lived for two years more, finally succuming to a pulmonary infection. 

She died on 4 January 1821 in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

In 1880, Cardinal Gibbons (then Archbishop) urged the steps be taken toward her canonization.

She was beatified by Pope John XXIII on 17 March 1963. She was canonized by Pope Paul VI on 14 September 1975.

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

1774-1821

Feast day: January 4

Patronage: Catholic Schools

Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[daily-praise]

Today’s Reflection:

In today’s gospel, we witness a series of peaceful transitions beginning with John’s focus on Jesus, for he is the one we ought to look for. Which moves two disciples to action with Jesus, who invites them to come and see. With this encounter, Andrew, being one the disciples, brings his bother to the Messiah who is now called Peter; that is rock which the Church will be built upon. It is with these encounters that Andrew and Peter’s lives change that allows fishermen to become saints. This is also true of us for whenever we look toward and have an authentically encounter Jesus, our lives change and this change will always be for the better.

Today’s Spiritual Links for January 04, 2024

National Eucharistic Review Today’s Mas Readings Today’s Reflection Rosary Liturgy of the Hours New American Bible Non-Scriptural Reading Prime Matters