Monday, January 4, 2010

Homily – January 4, 2010 – St. Elizabeth Seton

+ Today's saint, the first we celebrate in the New Year, is Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

She was born in New York City in 1774. She grew up in the "cream" of New York society. She was a prolific reader, and read everything from the Bible to contemporary novels. In spite of her high society background, Elizabeth's early life was quiet, simple, and often lonely. As she became older the Bible became her continual instruction, support and comfort; she would continue to love the Scriptures for the rest of her life. In 1794, Elizabeth married the wealthy young William Seton, with whom she was deeply in love. With him she had five children. The first years of their marriage were happy and prosperous. But earthly happiness was soon interrupted by many deaths and partings, including her father-in-law, and not too long after, her beloved husband Will. He succumbed to tuberculosis while in Italy where the Seton's traveled as a way to help Will's condition. It was at this time that she more closely than ever accepted The Will of God – she embraced this Will and it would be a keynote in her spiritual life. Elizabeth's deep concern for the spiritual welfare of her family and friends eventually led her into the Catholic Church. Elizabeth's desire for the Bread of Life was to be a strong force leading her to the Catholic Church. Having prayed to the Blessed Virgin to guide her to the True Faith, Elizabeth Seton finally joined the Catholic Church in 1805.

At the suggestion of the president of St. Mary's College in Baltimore, Maryland, Elizabeth started a school in that city. She and two other young women, who helped her in her work, began plans for a Sisterhood. They established the first free Catholic school system in America. On March 25, 1809, Elizabeth Seton pronounced her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, binding for one year. From that time she was called Mother Seton.

Although Mother Seton was now afflicted with tuberculosis, she continued to guide her children. The Rule of the Sisterhood was formally ratified in 1812. It was based upon the Rule St. Vincent de Paul had written for his Daughters of Charity in France. The Motherhouse for these new Daughters of Charity was Emmitsburg, Maryland. Today six groups of sisters trace their origins to Mother Seton's initial foundation. Mother Seton died in 1821 at the age of 46, only sixteen years after becoming a Catholic. She was canonized on September 14, 1975.

Our first reading today from the first Letter of John, in a way, summarizes Mother Seton's teaching mission: to encourage men and women to become children of God, rather than children of the Devil; and to demonstrate by her own example that true children of God act virtuously and in a way that pleases God, contrary to the children of the Devil who please themselves and disappoint God in a big way!

The gospel passage today talks about the irresistible persuasive power of Jesus' presence and words – the gentle authority of his spirit and his speech made people want to spend more time with him – to learn more about him – such as might be the mission of Catholic education: "Come and spend time with me, come and listen to what I have to say, come and watch how I practice what I preach!" This is what Jesus had in store for the very first Christian school: a seminary for his Apostles: this is what he has in store for any who choose to take the time and enroll in his program!

St. Elizabeth Seton, pray for us today that we may see Christ as The Teacher, and the Will of His Father as the primary subject to be learned from him!

In these last days, God has spoken to us through the Son.

No comments:

Happy New Year 202

  A Happy New Year to you all! I hope and pray I am able to keep this blog up to date now that we are entering into the New Year! I would li...