this week's feasts
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Jan. 4
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first American born citizen to be canonized a saint by the Church. She was born Elizabeth Ann Bayley, into an Episcopalian family in New York. As a young woman, she married William Seton. They had five children. Because of serious health issues, William was advised to move to Italy where the Mediterranean climate would be better for him. So, they did. In 1803, William died.
Elizabeth and her children moved in with an Italian family, who were devout Catholics. Inspired by their example, Elizabeth and her children became Catholic. They would return to the United States, to Baltimore, and there Elizabeth opened a school for girls. She also attached herself to the Sisters of Mercy. She was later asked to move to Emmitsburg, MD, and to start a school there, which she did. Other women joined her, and they developed the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph. This was the first religious community formed in the United States, and the school that she founded was the first parochial school in the US. As they expanded, one school that they would open would be Mount St, Joseph College in Cincinnati.
On Sept. 14, 1975, Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized a saint by Pope Paul VI. She is commonly known as Mother Seton.
Elizabeth and her children moved in with an Italian family, who were devout Catholics. Inspired by their example, Elizabeth and her children became Catholic. They would return to the United States, to Baltimore, and there Elizabeth opened a school for girls. She also attached herself to the Sisters of Mercy. She was later asked to move to Emmitsburg, MD, and to start a school there, which she did. Other women joined her, and they developed the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph. This was the first religious community formed in the United States, and the school that she founded was the first parochial school in the US. As they expanded, one school that they would open would be Mount St, Joseph College in Cincinnati.
On Sept. 14, 1975, Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized a saint by Pope Paul VI. She is commonly known as Mother Seton.
St. John Neumann, Jan. 5
John Neumann was born in Bohemia in 1811. As a teen he began seminary studies. He decided to become a missionary and came to the United States. The US was mission territory at that time. Sent first to work in New York, he was later named as bishop of Philadelphia. Neumann was bishop at a time of great numbers of immigrants coming primarily from Germany and Ireland. This was his biggest concern.
During his time as bishop, new parishes were opening at a rate of one per month. Parents were also asking for schools for their children, where especially the German students would be taught in German, and for all of them they could be instructed in the Catholic faith. He started as system of diocesan schools within the diocese of Philadelphia, the first American bishop to do so.
During his time as bishop, new parishes were opening at a rate of one per month. Parents were also asking for schools for their children, where especially the German students would be taught in German, and for all of them they could be instructed in the Catholic faith. He started as system of diocesan schools within the diocese of Philadelphia, the first American bishop to do so.