Elizabeth Ann Seton’s birthday will be observed at the
Basilica at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,
333 South Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, Md., Aug. 30. She was made
co-patron of the Arlington Diocese in 1975 by then-Bishop
Thomas J. Welsh.
Father Michael J. Kennedy, Seton Shrine chaplain, will
celebrate Mass at 1:30 p.m. A birthday party for the saint,
sponsored by the Seton Club of Harrisburg, Pa., and the
Daughters of Charity of the Emmitsburg Province, will follow
the Mass.
Women and girls named Elizabeth Ann or Elizabeth are invited
to join in a special procession; those interested in
participating are encouraged to register at the shrine
visitor center between 12:15 and 1:15 p.m.
Visitors will have opportunities to tour the visitor’s
center, the shrine and the museum, as well as historic
buildings.
Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the Sisters of Charity of St.
Joseph, the first community for religious women established
in the United States. She also began St. Joseph’s Academy and
Free School, the first free Catholic School for girls staffed
by Sisters in the United States. Her legacy of nearly 200
years includes six religious communities, numerous schools,
social service centers, and hospitals throughout America and
the world. Seton was canonized in 1975 by Pope Paul VI. The
first citizen born in the United States to be canonized, her
remains are entombed in the Basilica of the National Shrine
of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Find out more
setonshrine.org
