Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821)

1. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) Fall 2006 EDCI 658

2. Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton? • “Did you go to a private or public elementary school? Some private schools are very exclusive and expensive; others are much more affordable because they are connected with a local parish. We have Elizabeth Seton to thank for promoting parochial education for all those so interested. The parochial educational system in the United States is one of the largest in the world.” • Murphy, 2006, p. 290

3. Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont. • Born in New York City on August 28, 1774 • The second of three girls to Dr. Richard Bayley, New York’s first public health officer • Elizabeth’s mother died during childbirth when Elizabeth was only three years of old • Her father remarried and had seven more children • Elizabeth was sent to live with her grandparents or her uncle • She studied music, drawing, French, literature, sewing, dancing, housekeeping

4. Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont. • She married William Magee Seton, a New York businessman in 1794 • In eight years, she had five children • She organized a charity providing aids to poor widows and orphans while rearing her own children • Her father died ministering to Irish immigrants with the plague, quarantined on Staten Island • She home schooled her husband’s two sisters, Rebecca and Cecelia

5. Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont. • Seton shipping business collapsed after a ship wrack. Their house and furniture were repossessed • Elizabeth was equal to poverty as to wealth • On August 15, 1802, she received the sacrament of the Lord’s supper • She and her husband visited their business friends, Filippo and Antonio in Italy. • Her husband died after nine years of their marriage when they visited Italy

6. Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont. • She visited a Catholic Church---the Church of the Annunciation in Florence and was impressed by the rich ornaments and the piety of people • When Elizabeth was 30, she was a widowed mother of five, a pauper since her husband’s business totally collapsed. • She went through spiritual crisis feeling exhausted and confused by the struggle between the Catholics and Protestant

7. Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont. • She was received into the Catholic Church and was instructed for her confirmation by Bishop John Carroll • She was ostracized, criticized, in poor health, with five children, a disgraced name and no money in the New York City • Elizabeth began to teach in a Protestant school • She was forced to leave New York city when her sister-in-law Cecelia wanted to convert to Catholics

8. Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont. • She moved to Baltimore, a large catholic city by the invitation of Father Dubourg and Bishop Carroll • She started a school for girls • Accepting girls from the parish, free of charge earned her the name “Founder of the Catholic parochial school system” • Elizabeth was appointed directress and titled “Mother Seton”

9. Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont. • She helped found St. Joseph’s Academy • The Sisters of Charity, grew spread, starting schools, hospitals, colleges, nursing homes and convents throughout the world • Elizabeth Ann Seton died of a fever and tuberculosis at the age of 47

10. Seton’s Contribution to Education • Elizabeth’s school at Emmitsburg is considered the first Catholic school because it was free for the Catholic children from the parish who helped to subsidize it • Annabelle Melville: “The American Catholic Parochial School System may be defined as a system of schools by which free education in a religious atmosphere under religious auspices and with religious teachers is provided for the children of parish.” (Cited in Murphy, p. 292)

11. Seton’s Philosophy of Education • She thought child as creature of God, endowed with feelings, knowing, and spiritual faculties • She had a holistic view of education and was concerned about both physical and spiritual well-being. (wholesome diet, healthy amusement, and interesting recreation along with intensive academic studies) • She kept the parents informed of their girls’ progress and enlisted their help

12. Resources on Elizabeth Ann Seton • http://www.emmitsburg.net/setonshrine/bio.htm • http://www.emmitsburg.net/setonshrine/ • http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainte04.htm • http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13739a.htm • http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=180 • http://www.stvincent.org/about/whoweare/seton.htm • http://www.seton.net/about_seton/setons_history_and_heritage/st_elizabeth_ann_seton • http://www.mystelizabeth.com/ • http://www.seaseton.org/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Ann_Seton

13. Books on Elizabeth Ann Seton • Dirvin, Joseph. The Soul of Elizabeth Seton: A Spiritual Portrait. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1990 • Feeney, Leonard. Mother Seton: Saint Elizabeth of New York(1774-1821). Still River, MA: The Ravengate Press, 1991 • Kelly, Ellin and Annabelle, Melville, eds. Elizabeth Seton: Selected Writings. New York: Paulist Press, 1987.

14. Books on Elizabeth Ann Seton • La Mantia, John Agnes. “Life and Work of Mother Seton with Particular Emphasis on Her Educational Principles.” Master’s thesis, Department of Education. Chicago: DePaul University, 1958 • Melville, Annabelle. Elizabeth Bayley Seton 1774-1821. New York: Charles Scribner & Sons, 1960 • Stone, Elaine Murray. Elizabeth Bayley Seton: An American Saint. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1993