St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Lessons for the Catholic Businesswoman
“Faith lifts the soul, hope supports it, experience says it must, and Love says... let it be!” (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton).
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is my Confirmation saint. As a sophomore in high school with plans of becoming an elementary teacher, I was inspired by her role in founding the first Catholic schools in America and the fact that she was the first American-born citizen to be canonized a saint. (Fun fact: She was born in August 1774 in New York City, less than one year before the start of the American Revolution in April 1775).
As I moved through college, somewhat drastically changed career courses, and really dove into the lives of the saints, I became embarrassed by my choice of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. She seemed like a silly choice for someone not married, widowed, or an elementary school teacher. And her life story, frankly, seemed boring and simple.
However, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is far from boring; she lived an ordinary life with extraordinary faith, devotion, and service to her family and the poor and a willingness to say “yes” to the Lord. Her life was filled with hardships and trials, but she rooted herself in Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist. There is so much that this American saint can teach us about fully living out our Catholic faith in America, and elsewhere, in the 21st century.
Social Rejection
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was a New York socialite born into a prominent Episcopalian family, where she was devoted to the faith and serving the poor. She was introduced to the Catholic faith through the witness of her husband’s business associates when she, her husband, and her daughter traveled to Italy in the hopes of improving her husband’s health. However, her husband died, leaving her a widow with five children and financial struggles.
A few years later, she converted to Catholicism and experienced social rejection from family and friends as well as an increase in financial hardship. She lost the respect and support of those closest to her and was viewed with suspicion for living and instructing others in the Catholic faith.
Elizabeth Ann Seton became Catholic at a time when Catholicism was highly unpopular and looked down upon in America. Her conversion came at a high price for a widow with young children. She continued to undergo difficulties and hardships, but she took the risk because she came to know our Lord through the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist
Elizabeth Ann received her strength from Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist. Throughout her life, she sought the Lord’s voice and presence, often praying from Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” She knew that even when she walked through “the valley of the shadow of death,” the Lord was on her side, comforting and consoling her always.
Though she had received communion as an Episcopalian, Elizabeth was drawn to the Eucharist as the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus and developed a strong devotion to the Eucharist. She was keenly aware of the Lord’s healing presence in the Eucharist: “How sweet the presence of Jesus to the longing, harassed soul! It is instant peace, and balm to every wound.” The Eucharist was her source through all her trials and hardships, helping her unite her pain with Jesus’ Paschal Mystery.
The real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist transformed and awed Elizabeth’s heart. She opened her heart to receiving our Lord and surrendered everything to Him, ultimately leading her to open the first new community of religious sisters and the first free Catholic school for girls in America, as well as offer services to the poor.
Let us pray that we may allow the Lord to transform and awe our hearts through both Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist so that we may love and serve the people around us. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton shows us how to say “yes” when it is unpopular and to always seek God in Scripture and the Eucharist.
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.