Daily Reflection: Thursday, January 4
Thursday, January 4, 2024 – Memorial St. Elizabeth Ann Seton https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010424.cfm
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Her life was full of struggles. She was born in New York City in 1774 and was raised Episcopalian. At the age of 19 she was married to William Magee Seton and had five children. Because of her husband’s health they moved to Italy. He dead shortly after they arrival. Elizabeth was help by one of her husband’s business associates, who was Catholic. On her return to the States two years later in 1805 she was received into the Catholic Church. After many other hardships, she was asked to start a school, St. Josephy’s Academy, in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This was the first free Catholic school in the USA. It was staffed by the newly founded Sisters of Charity, the first community of religious women founded in the new nation. Elizabeth became a member of this new community. She died in 1821 and 1975 she became the first native born citizen of the US to be canonized. She is the patron saint of Catholic school. Today pray for all who work in Catholic Education around the world.
Scott F. Brookbank, OFM
Read also:
This week’s Letter from the Pastor
