Saturday, January 4, 2014

America Sainthood : Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton

On this day in 1821 Mother Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton died.

 She was the first saint born in the US.

Born in New York City to an Episcopalian Family, Seton converted to Roman Catholicism after spending time in Italy following the death of her husband. She returned to the United States and started a school for Catholic girls.

Eventually Seton founded the first apostolic community for women in America : the Sisters of Charity of St Joseph. In addition to starting a free school, it dedicated itself to care for children and the poor.

 Today her legacy lives on in numerous parishes and Seton Hall University bearing her name where countless numbers of people have been inspired by her work.

Mother Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was canonized in 1975,