Elizabeth Ann Seton

by Anne Merwin

Born barely nine months after the Boston Tea Party, Elizabeth grew up in New York City during the very beginning of America’s independence. A staunch Protestant, she held and fully enjoyed a position among the elite of society until her life took a different path - one that would bring her to God and continue to affect lives over two hundred years after her death. Let author Anne Merwin, former president of the Mother Seton House in Baltimore, guide you through the life of this young socialite who becomes the pioneer of the Catholic school system in the United States and the foundress of the Sisters of Charity. Elizabeth had the kind of fortitude and perseverance that fueled the American Revolution. When she discovered God’s call, she followed it, undergoing a compelling conversion, and a life of many trials. Her choices and actions are a true testament to her strong faith. Discover the secret of Elizabeth’s holiness - a courageous determination to allow God to guide her, no matter where he might lead. Features & Includes reflection questions Contains a chronology of important dates Features her story with a personal connection Ends with a prayer to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton About the Anne Merwin has a B.A. in History and Music from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. She has worked in public radio, classical music management and time management. However, when she converted to Catholicism and was introduced to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Anne found her vocation. As a past President of the Mother Seton House in Baltimore and now as an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of New York, Anne enjoys each opportunity to share the legacy of the Sisters’ foundress, Elizabeth Ann Seton. She looks to Elizabeth Ann Seton for guidance and inspiration in her daily life as a wife, mother and grandmother.

Genres: Catholic

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2015

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we think about saints, we are often intimidated by them. Most of us have an unrealistic expectation that saints walked around this earth (or floated) and were holy all the time. In reality, they were people just like you and me. Today, I would like to share with you two books about two amazing female saints - Elizabeth Ann Seton and Therese of Lisieux.


The book Elizabeth Ann Seton begins with an introduction on how the author, Anne Merwin, first became aware of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and how events in her life connected her to this saint. The first few chapters give us a background on Elizabeth and her husband's parents and lineage. It was here that I learned that her husband, William, had an ancestor who was a lady-in-waiting to Mary Queen of Scots. We learn of the marriage of William and Elizabeth, their five children, and sadly William's early death. It was his death and their financial circumstances that led to Elizabeth taking up a teaching job.This was not the only sadness the family would experience as Anna (one of the children) would die of tuberculosis. In addition to learning about her time in a religious order and her mission, we learn about the lasting impact she had after her death, which included affordable Catholic education and social services that religious sisters provided.


The book Therese of Lisieux begins with her birth and gives us some brief information on her parents, Louis and Zelie Martin. Louis was 49 and Zelie was 41 at the time of Therese's birth. They had four other daughters at the time that were living and there were three children that died as infants and one that died at age five. We also learn that Zelie documented stories of Therese as a child that would later show how she chose to live her life in devotion to Christ. In this book, we see how Therese lived somewhat of a dual existence. She was still a child and acted like a child in many ways, but she was also a holy being who was attune to God. Much of this, as noted in the book, can be attributed to her family, which is full of saints and near-saints. The main focus of this book, however, is Therese's gaze to Carmel and becoming a Bride of Christ, which she eventually experience, but much later in life than she liked.

Both books, Elizabeth Ann Seton and Therese of Lisieux, belong to the "series" entitled Saints by Our Side. I say "series," because at the moment, they are the only two in it. Perhaps, there will be more in the near future. What I liked best about these books is that there are equal parts biography and spiritual biography. Due to the saints chosen, I would say these books are more geared towards women than men, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't benefit men to read these books as well. These would be excellent editions to a home, school, or parish library as your tween could read either of these books for a good role model or even a Confirmation saint.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent short introductory biography of the first American-born Catholic saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. I got it at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland and feel terribly blessed to have finally made that trip and am more devoted than ever to Mother Seton.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because St. Elizabeth Seton has been a source of strength for me for decades, I did not hesitate to purchase this book at a recent retreat. I already have biographies of her life, medals, and other items and wanted to add it to my bookshelf but honestly did not think I would learn anything new.

Reading about the Revolutionary War is an avocation of mine. Imagine my delight when I discovered that the author had framed many of the events of Mother Seton's life within that context. She was born into an affluent New York family that fled the City for safety prior to the Battle of Long Island, and her father was a surgeon in the Continental Army. When she and William Bayley married, the ceremony was performed by the Bishop of New York, who had presided over President Washington's inaugural prayer service five years earlier, and when they set up household, Alexander Hamilton was a neighbor and acquaintance. Later, she and Mr. Bayley helped to host George Washington's 65th birthday ball!

There are further patriotic connections including: The four churches in Lower Manhattan with which she was affiliated, two directly across from the World Trade Center, were undamaged and became points of refuge and support for both First Responders and the homeless after the horrors of 911.

I would highly recommend this book as a primer on the life of St. Elizabeth Seton as well as a source to deepen one's faith.

[Maureen E]

This is a nice overview of EA Seton’s life.
In 1975 I was in HS when she was canonized. The nuns at our school were Sisters of Charity and quite excited.
I now live in MD within 30 minutes of Emmitsburg and decided to read more about her life.

I had forgotten much of her story and found her life fascinating. She is a role model regardless of one’s denomination or lack there of.

[Joann Glasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the better books written on her