St. Elizabeth Seton

Born two years before the American Revolution, Elizabeth grew up in the "cream" of New York society. In 1794, she married the wealthy young William Seton, but soon both Will's business and his health failed. In an attempt to save his health, the Setons sailed for Italy, where Will had business friends. Will died of tuberculosis while in Italy. In Italy, Elizabeth became interested in the Catholic Faith, and over a period of months, her Italian friends guided her in Catholic instructions. Shejoined the Catholic Church in 1805.

Elizabeth returned to America and started a school in Baltimore, Maryland. She and two other young women established the first free Catholic school in America. By 1818, in addition to their first school, the sisters had established two orphanages and another school. Today six groups of sisters trace their origins to Mother Seton's initial foundation.

Mother Seton died in 1821 at the age of 46. She was canonized on September 14, 1975, the first native born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Her Feast Day is January 4.