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St.
Elizabeth Ann Seton
Feast Day: January 4
Sometimes our choices change our
lives. In 1805, Elizabeth Seton chose to become a Catholic. This choice
changed her life and ours.
Elizabeth had been born to rich parents in New York City in 1774. Her
parents taught her to care about others. When Elizabeth grew up, she fell
in love with William Seton. They married in 1794.
Between 1794 and 1803, when William died, the happy couple had five children.
But when he died, William left his family with no money. So after his
death, Elizabeth had to find work. Her friends and family refused to help
her. Why? Because Elizabeth had chosen to become a Catholic. This decision
changed her whole life.
In 1809, Elizabeth and her children moved to Emmetsburg, Maryland. There,
she founded a school for the poor. Soon other women joined Elizabeth in
her work. This group of women became the Sisters of Charity.
In the years that followed, Elizabeth created the first Catholic parish
school. She also started the first Catholic orphanage in America. By the
time she died in 1821—at the age of 46—she had founded 20
convents.
In 1963, Pope John XXIII declared that Elizabeth was a saint. She is the
first saint born in America. Her choice to follow God’s will led
to great good for all of us.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 5, chapter 9
