St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was born on August 28, 1774. Her father, Richard Bayley, was a well-known Colonial physician and New York City's first Health Officer. Elizabeth's mother, Catherine Charlton, was the daughter of an Episcopalian minister. When Elizabeth was three years old, her mother passed away.
Elizabeth was described as an affectionate and vivacious child who loved to read the Bible and attend the theater. Elizabeth and her sister Mary spent much of their childhood in New Rochelle with their uncle, William Baylay. At this time, Elizabeth began to explore her faith by reading the essays of Hugh Blair as well as religious poetry by John Milton and James Thomson. Elizabeth was often found teaching prayers and singing hymns to her half brothers and sisters.
When Elizabeth was 19 years old, she married the charming William Magee Seton. The couple was very much in love and was blessed with the birth of their first child, Anna Marie, during their first year of marriage. In the next nine years, the Seton family grew with the births of William, Richard, Catherine and Rebecca.
Elizabeth Seton began devoting her life to service in 1797, when she and Isabella Graham formed the Widows' Society in New York.
Unfortunately, the happiness in Elizabeth's life would soon become sorrow and loss. William's father died shortly after the couple married, leaving them in charge of William's half brothers and sisters as well as the family's import business. Amidst a troubled business and William's failing health, the couple went to Italy in hopes of saving William and the family business. During the trip, William died of tuberculosis.
While in Italy, Elizabeth impressed others with her kindness, patience and courtesy. Given her loving demeanor and heart for charity, Elizabeth's Italian friends encouraged her to become acquainted with the Catholic Church. Since Elizabeth's mother died when she was young, Elizabeth took comfort in the idea that the Blessed Virgin was truly her mother. In 1805, Elizabeth joined the Catholic Church; and five years later, she pronounced her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
When she returned to the United States, Elizabeth formed the Sisters of Charity and is credited with founding the Catholic school system. At one point, Elizabeth sent Mother Margaret George and seven of her sisters to the Queen City, where they began the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.
Elizabeth Seton died in 1821. In 1975, she became the first canonized saint born in the United States. Every year on January 4, we celebrate Elizabeth Seton's Feast Day.