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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Touched many through Works of Mercy

St. Patrick’s Parishioner Elizabeth Funk-Breay of Battle Creek recently spent time learning about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton using the “Catholic Saints – Elizabeth Ann Seton” feature on Formed.org.

“Previously, I was aware of Elizabeth's life but not in great detail,” Funk-Breay said. “I learned that she lived in New York, and when she was a toddler, her mother and sister died.”

Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first American saint, being canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.  Elizabeth married at age 19 and had five children in 10 years.

Shortly after Elizabeth’s marriage, her father-in-law died. Elizabeth and her husband then moved into her father-in-law's home to help take care of his seven younger children. More tragedy struck when her husband became ill with tuberculosis. They went to Italy, hoping the weather would help with his illness. However, he died in Italy, making Elizabeth a widow at age 29. Due to his illness, his lucrative business went bankrupt.

After Elizabeth’s husband’s death, the Italian family with whom they were staying during his illness introduced her to Catholicism. She grew up in the Episcopal Church, but when she returned to New York, she converted to Catholicism. Elizabeth was struck and deeply moved by the Eucharist. However, her family did not like it when she became Catholic. They especially disagreed when Elizabeth tried to convert others in the family, and therefore, she was shunned by many family members.  However, two of her sisters-in-law later converted.

Elizabeth became a teacher at age 35 and started the Sisters of Charity, the first American religious order for women. She also established St. Joseph Academy and the first free Catholic girl’s school in Baltimore, Maryland. Elizabeth went on to establish orphanages and hospitals around the world. Her extraordinary gift and calling was to serve others.  

“In learning about Elizabeth’s life, I realized that she had a rather ordinary life with extraordinary suffering.  There were many deaths in her family, along with dealing with a bankruptcy and being shunned by family for converting to Catholicism.  Elizabeth always sought Christ and to be close to him,” Funk-Breay said. “The greatest learning for me in this video is that suffering invites our deepest trust in God, and God sanctifies us through our response to that suffering.

“Elizabeth suffered but did not let that define her.  She was faithful and trusted more deeply in her suffering.  Elizabeth’s life was dedicated to serving others, touching so many through her works of mercy.”

Funk-Breay said she would recommend the video to others because Elizabeth is very relatable.

“She is someone like us – she was a wife, a mother, a single mom, at times experienced financial difficulty, and had to deal with the death of loved ones.  Elizabeth was an extraordinary person in ordinary situations.  We are all called to be saints and Elizabeth surely demonstrated that each and every one of us have the capacity to reach sainthood.”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Touched many through Works of Mercy