St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 

On September 14, 1975, Pope Paul VI proclaimed to the Church and the world "Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is a saint!" Born in 1774, St. Elizabeth Ann experienced both the joys and sorrows of life. She enjoyed a happy married life but also suffered the death of her husband and child.  St. Elizabeth Ann understood the challenges that a single mother faced. She began to teach to support her young family. Upon the advice of a family friend, Father Dubourg and the invitation of Bishop John Carroll, Elizabeth Ann Seton began a Catholic school in Maryland in 1808. This one endeavor led St. Elizabeth Ann to found a community of sisters, the Sisters of Charity, whose mission was to initiate and provide Catholic education throughout the nation. St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton died at the young age of forty-six on January 4, 1821. Throughout her life, Elizabeth Ann Seton taught the young how to be faithful and loving followers of Jesus the Christ. Through her example, children and the Church learned how to become a community of prayer and service for the sake of creating a more just and holy society. The church celebrates the life of this holy and virtuous woman every year on January 4.