Author Topic: St Elizabeth Ann Seton (Read 484 times)

poche · « **on:** January 05, 2016, 12:48:58 AM »

This wife, mother and foundress of a religious congregation was born Elizabeth Ann Bayley on August 28, 1774 in New York City, the daughter of an eminent physician and professor at what is now Columbia University. Brought up as an Episcopalian, she received an excellent education, and from her early years she manifested an unusual concern for the poor.

In 1794 Elizabeth married William Seton, with whom she had five children. The loss of their fortune so affected William's health that in 1803 Elizabeth and William went to stay with Catholic friends at Livorno, Italy. William died six weeks after their arrival, and when Elizabeth returned to New York City some six months later, she was already a convinced Catholic. She met with stern opposition from her Episcopalian friends but was received into full communion with the Catholic Church on March 4, 1805.

Abandoned by her friends and relatives, Elizabeth was invited by the superior of the Sulpicians in Baltimore to found a school for girls in that city. The school prospered, and eventually the Sulpician superior, with the approval of Bishop Carroll, gave Elizabeth and her assistants a rule of life. They were also permitted to make religious profession and to wear a religious habit.

In 1809 Elizabeth moved her young community to Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she adopted as a rule of life an adaptation of the rule observed by the Sisters of Charity, founded by St. Vincent de Paul. Although she did not neglect the ministry to the poor, and especially to Negroes, she actually laid the foundation for what became the American parochial school system. She trained teachers and prepared textbooks for use in the schools; she also opened orphanages in Philadelphia and New York City.

She died at Emmitsburg on January 4, 1821, was beatified by Pope John XXIII in 1963, and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.

- See more at: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-01-04#sthash.yXSv1FCx.dpuf

poche · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2016, 12:58:48 AM »

Here is some of what Mother Seton's contemporaries were saying about here shortly after she died.;

1821) (January)

B(ru)té S(imon) Father
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)

to (Catherine) Josephine (Seton)
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)

This is a prayer for her. It is one of the last and most familiar which she (Mother Elizabeth Seton) repeated while still with us. She is now in heaven, he hopes. He exhorts her to pray always. The picture is for William who can have it for a mark in his book. "Our Lord" on the cross--"our mother" at his feet--praying to the Father with respect and abandon--all his heart and "ours" expressed in his attitude. The Spirit of Grace (is) His hope and "ours." "Pray for us."

http://archives.nd.edu/calendar/cal1821.htm

poche · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:00:13 AM »

1821 Jan. 26
David, Jean Bishop of Mauricastrum: Bardstown, (Kentucky)
to Father (Simon Gabriel Brute): Emmitsburg, Maryland

David believes from what Brute wrote that the death of Mother (Elizabeth) Seton was one beautiful in the eyes of God. It is the kind of death he desires. He is grateful to Brute for writing a description of her death. He will read it to his Sisters of Nazareth the first time he addressed them. Two have gone since their establishment, also prepared for death by long suffering from consumption. He has estblished four houses which he describes. He does not think that is too many. They have two novices and ten that have made their vows at Nazareth. He had 12 seminarians besides the 3 priests, Father (George) Elder, O'Brien and (David A.) Deparq. Mr. Derigaud governs the little seminary which had 13 or 14 subjects. Mr. Hysten is with him. He has 3 theologians counting Deparq who has not yet finished his course. They have also 3 philosophers, among whom is Mr. Reilly whom Brute recommended. The others are in various stages of the humanities. He has had them brought there to establish a college and to aid in the teaching in the college they wish to establish. They have 30 or 40 scholars. Elder is the president and one of the students is his second. The cathedral is not finished but it is in good shape. They have a choir of men and women. They sing the high Mass and vespers. Father (Charles) Nerinckx has obtained an organ. Father (Guy Ignatius) has no comment. The Bishop of Quebec has written that religion is declining in France. That is all the news they hear there from that quarter. They have plenty to do. They need a professor of theology and of scripture. One should hasten to prepare a successor. He does not know what would happen to the seminary of he died. He is sixty years old and suffers from asthma. He asks for prayers, also for those of the Sisters, especially Angelique; also Biddy Jordan and her mother; Mr. Grover and his wife.

http://archives.nd.edu/calendar/cal1821.htm

poche · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:02:56 AM »

1821 Feb. 15

Bruté, Father Simon
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)

to Catherine Josephine Seton
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)

Her question is good for her soul and shows her sincere to know God's will. She should enjoy the peace of such offering of herself to His will. He is also glad to find mother's (Mrs. Elizabeth Seton's) child with such a disposition, but it is a great responsibility for himself. Though fluctuating in thought he is inclined to tell her to follow her impression and to make a trial of it. He will not fear to entrust his thoughts to her. Her mother (Mrs. Elizabeth Seton) had only one desire, that God's will be done. Thus her personal desire was conditional on God's. She spoke little of it to her. Josephine knows best. He "almost never- and never" objected to her "excursions to try the World." A fear of the world's disappointments is an equivocal sign. It doesn't do for a vocation. A fear of its dangers is a truer indication. A heart desiring to serve God and live united with Him turns from the world to the safest means of doing so. A desire to secure even in this life the balance of happiness and the least share of mental afflictions, provided it is not precluded by our obligations to others, is worth considering and may concur with an even greater service to our neighbors. St. Paul shows this in Corinthians I, 7. He advises her to read this both for its general meaning and for its application to herself. She should try herself "on the main side of each question." Our Lord's design as explained by the Church is to let the world say anything to the contrary. Men are immortal souls, images of God, brought by Christ into a union in one body. This union may be accomplished in ordinary life. For Christ has made matrimony a sacrament of sanctification if His service is made its last end. Yet another manner of life is higher and preferable. Attention to what is important makes it evident to a religious soul. Without this vocation for the better part one should follow the common way indicated by providence. But when piety calls one should be disposed to follow what is for God's glory and love and the greatest advantage of his soul and those of others. He will continue to help her to make this examination. She is to be prayerful, confident and attentive to her usual duties.

http://archives.nd.edu/calendar/cal1821.htm

poche · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:04:52 AM »

1821 Jun. 29
Bruté, Father S(imon)
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)

to William (Seton)
(U.S. Navy)

Bruté saw of the arrival of William's frigate in the Fayette this morning. He put off writing the whole day, thinking that William's heart would be reached only by his sister's letter. But now the last hour of the day, opening the bible his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Seton, kept for seven or eight years, (her first bible of 1804, he returned to Josephine). Bruté noticed her notes on psalm 118 which she said everyday, though usually from the primer "Joe" keeps. She had places underlined for herself or William. At a verse of fear for sin she wrote "o my dear ones!" To psalm 118, verse 144, which says that if God gives on understanding he shall live, she adds "in Jesus." She lives in Him, for them (us) no more. To verse 165 which says that lovers of God's law have no stumbling block she adds that His will is all. It was her whole last prayer towards two o'clock that night of January 4 with Susanna and S(iste)r Clarke, "o Joe, Joe herself." Just there followed Pius VII's prayer which she recited every day. It says that God's will is to be done and exalted above all forever. A marginal note, inserted here in Bruté's handwriting, says she began it herself and they took it up. Her last three or four months were a union to God's will. She was recollected in her peace, loved her communion which was her heaven and earth. Bruté concluded the marginal note with, the statement that he leaves it all to Joe. Mother Seton tells her beloved one, William from heaven to fulfill that will and come to her. Bruté asks William's forgiveness for the words of one who still loves him in her heart. (There is a landscape drawing at the head of the letter. It consists of two houses, one dated June 29th, the other January 21, a bridge, and three graves. There is also a cliff and a ship dated June 21. Two samples of Elizabeth Seton's handwriting are pasted beneath this. They say "dear dear Eternity" and "resigned and heavenly minded is so beautiful.")

http://archives.nd.edu/calendar/cal1821.htm

poche · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:06:02 AM »

1821?)
(1st Sunday in Advent)

(Bruté, Father Simon), Care of D(octo)r Chatard
Emmitsburg, (Maryland)

Bruté asks William whether it displeases him if, while her (Mrs. Seton's) dear voice is silent, he writes them in her name "the word which from this day was so pleasingly kept on here by all you love." Christmas time is coming again. What a time Anna Rebecca and Mother had for themselves united for many years, now parted! William, Dick, and Joe were also united for a time. They are gone to the "face to face." They (we) are left to the mystery "yet a little while." Christmas and Eternity are words that come to William from the little woods after his long absence. Providence returns him safe but Absolute will does not return the voice and sight of his mother to him. Bruté asks William to forgive him for these sad memories. Eternity was her (Mrs. Seton's) only thought. Now she has it. William should keep it (this letter?) as a sacred inheritance as if she herself had written it. Today the religious year begins again. He began (in his last sermon) to the people of Emmitsburg by asking them three questions that he may also put to himself. They are, "What to say," "I believe Everlasting life? Should we think in earnest about it?--and how should we prepare for it?" the first has immense meaning. The second is contested only by the fool, though many who would not deny it forget it. Some say it is not in our present nature to think of its spiritual reality beyond the sensible. Then, it is not in our nature to resist sin. But we are obliged to resist a corrupt sinful nature and a forgetful earthly-minded one. The answer to the third is to seek and obey grace to "its full and sincere extent." He asks William not to be too displeased with him. He ends with a drawing of a fenced-in plot of graves. The second from the right is surmounted by a cross.

http://archives.nd.edu/calendar/cal1821.htm

poche · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:08:43 AM »

It is important to note that St Elizabeth Ann Seton was a convert. Her conversion came through the holiness of a Catholic family in Italy. She would never have become Catholic were it not for their good example.
Padre Pio said, "There are the saints and there are those who make the saints."