St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Widow

Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born in New York City to a non-Catholic family in the year of Our Lord 1774. Elizabeth was well-educated, and devoted to both charity and the Anglican religion, thanks to the influence of a stepmother. After her marriage in 1794, Elizabeth Ann Seton and her sister-in-law Rebecca became known as the “Protestant Sisters of Charity” for their work with the poor. Elizabeth was widowed some nine years later, and stayed with friends in Italy where she began to see the truth of Catholicism. After returning to America, despite the efforts of her Anglican friends, Elizabeth joined the true Church in 1805, and helped her sister-in-law Cecilia do the same the next year. After several failed charitable ventures, Elizabeth started a school for girls in Maryland, where she eventually founded and was elected superior of the American branch of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. After a noble life of service and spiritual writing, this patroness of widows died of tuberculosis in the year of Our Lord 1821, and in 1975 she became the first American-born United States citizen ever canonized.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for January 4th

THE Octave of the Holy Innocents.

In Crete, the birthday of St. Titus, who was consecrated bishop of that island by the apostle St. Paul. After having faithfully performed the duty of preaching the Gospel, he reached the end of his blessed life, and was buried in the church of which he had been made a worthy minister by the holy apostle.

At Rome, in the reign of the impious Julian, the holy martyrs Priscus, priest, Priscillian, cleric, and Benedicta, a religious woman, who ended their martyrdom by the sword.

Also, at Rome, under the same emperor, blessed Dafrosa, wife of the martyr St. Flavian. After her husband had been killed, she was first banished, and then beheaded.

At Bologna, the Saints Hermes, Aggoeus, and Caius, martyrs, who suffered under the emperor Maximian.

At Adrumetum, in Africa, in the persecution of Severus, the commemoration of St. Mavilus, martyr, who, being condemned by the most cruel president Scapula to be devoured by wild beasts, received the crown of martyrdom.

Also, in Africa, the most renowned martyrs Aquilinus, Geminus, Eugenius, Marcian, Quinctus, Theodotus, and Tryphon.

At Langres, St. Gregory, a bishop renowned for miracles.

At Rheims, in France, St. Rigobertus, bishop and confessor.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.