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She was a wife. A mother. A teacher.
She was also — as the title of a new exhibit at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg tells visitors — “one of us.”
And as the first native-born American saint, the 50th anniversary of Mother Seton’s canonization will be celebrated with a full year of spiritually immersive activities – beginning January 4 with a televised Mass on EWTN celebrated by the Archbishop of Baltimore William E. Lori – at the pilgrimage destination named after him.
“In many ways, she was an ordinary woman doing ordinary things – things not unlike you and me today,” said Rob Judge, executive director of the Seton Sanctuary. “She simply did them through the prism of eternity, of God’s grace and his providence – this firm belief that he would care for her and that he could be sought in this world and in the other.
“It permeated his whole life experience. But what was also relevant about her life experience,” Judge added, “is that she was just trying to figure things out – like we do today. »
Born in New York in 1774 to a prominent Episcopal family, Mother Seton experienced much loss and heartbreak: the death of her mother, the failure of her husband’s business, and her eventual death. But after converting to Catholicism in 1805, she also led a courageous and pioneering life – founding the first American community for religious women and planting the seeds of Catholic education in America.
On Sunday, September 14, 1975, St. Paul VI canonized Mother Seton in St. Peter’s Square, declaring: “Elizabeth Ann Seton is a saint! … Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American… Elizabeth Ann Seton was all American! Rejoice for your glorious daughter. Be proud of her. And, advises the pontiff, know how to preserve his fertile heritage.
“Let’s go back to the country in 1975 – at the time it was a huge deal,” Judge said, providing context for the canonization. “Our country is 200 years old. We had never seen here a citizen born in the country declared holy. So when it finally happened, the Church in our country was just thrilled. “Finally, we have a saint!” » There is just this pride that one of us has been recognized as a declared saint.
This should not, however, alienate people from Mother Seton.
“We are all called to holiness – the universal call to holiness. … We all have this opportunity,” the judge said. “The fact that she did that – and that she led a very ordinary path in response to the grace of God, as she encountered the difficulties and joys of life – we have that same opportunity. So in that sense too, we can become a saint like she was.
Visitors can tour the “One of Us” exhibit, which transports them back to 1975 to tell the story of Mother Seton’s canonization through artifacts, including the personal scrapbooks of those who attended or participated in the proceedings in Rome. watched in Emmitsburg.
An original mural by Frederick artist Ellen Byrne depicts Mother Seton’s path to sainthood, while a separate installation shows other Americans at various stages of the canonization process.
Other events in 2025 include an outreach program to more than 200 U.S. parishes and schools under the patronage of Mother Seton; a series of pilgrimage initiatives; a “50 for 50” digital content campaign showcasing the personal impact of Mother Seton and her sanctuary; expanding the sanctuary’s “Seeds of Hope” program offering retreats to those living in poverty; and – on September 14 – a “Day of Joy” anniversary celebration to commemorate the day Mother Seton was canonized.
The shrine – which attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year, who can see the places where Mother Seton lived and worked, as well as her tomb – will also hold its regular programs, tours and other activities throughout the year.
“We hope it’s not just a celebration,” Judge said. “Our hope is that this really encourages people to look to her as an intercessor, as a role model, and to actually take the same journey of faith for themselves.” Because we all have this opportunity, with the grace of God.
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