Originally published at Catholic News Agency
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the foundress and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States. She was born to Episcopalian parents into New York City high society on August 28, 1774.
Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley was the first professor of anatomy at Columbia College and praised for his work as the health officer of the Port of New York. Her mother, Catherine Charlton, daughter of an Anglican minister of Staten Island, N.Y. died when Elizabeth was three years old, leaving her and two other young daughters.
Elizabeth was married on January 25, 1794 in St. Paul’s Episcopalian Church to William Magee Seton. When his father died, they took over custody of William’s seven half brothers and sisters, as well as the family’s importing business. William fell into financial troubles, and later died of tuberculosis in Pisa, Italy in December 1803 while attempting to get help from his business friends. After getting to know the Catholic Church in Italy, Elizabeth fasted and prayed for light. Finally, on Ash Wednesday, March 14, 1805, she was received into the Church.
Her conversion unleashed a storm among her Protestant relatives and friends and made her financial strains even greater. In
