Elizabeth Ann Seton was born on August 28, 1774 in New York City. A descendant of Calvinists, Elizabeth set up a plan for spiritual perfection and tried to see things as would please God. Elizabeth married William Seton, and they had five children. An Episcopalian, Elizabeth was very charitable. After her husband died, Elizabeth began studying the Catholic Faith. She especially believed the doctrine of the Real Presence. Despite her family and friends" attempts to keep her from joining the Church, Elizabeth became a Catholic. Elizabeth's family and friends could not understand why she wanted to be a Catholic. At the urging of a priest, Elizabeth established a school for children. Encouraged by Archbishop John Carroll, Elizabeth established the first native American order of nuns, the Sisters of Charity. They founded a boarding school for girls as well as a free school for neighborhood children. This was the first parochial school in the United States. Elizabeth faced many hardships throughout her life. The Father Superior attempted to replace Elizabeth in her position as Mother Superior with another nun. Also, Elizabeth's two daughters both died while she herself suffered from tuberculosis. Shortly before her death, Elizabeth received word that two of her sons were leading wild lives. When she died, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton left behind the foundation for Catholic American institutions as well as a life full of charity and devotion. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized in 1975, the first native-born American saint.
