January 4, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
January 4th is the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the very first American born saint. She is noted for establishing the Sisters of Charity and her devotion to education of the poor and teaching in parish schools, but her life was not easy.
Elizabeth was raised in a prominent Episcopalian family; she married a wealthy merchant, William Magee Seton, whose business went into bankruptcy, and he contracted tuberculosis. They traveled with their five children to Italy seeking a more welcoming climate. It was there in Italy that he died, and Elizabeth encountered the Catholic faith. She returned with her five children to the United States determined to be a Catholic.
Her family did not accept her decision and she faced personal financial crisis. A priest from Baltimore assisted her in the opening of a girls’ school. She was joined by other women who shared her passion for education and service – it was the start of her religious community.
First vows for the Daughters of Charity of St. Joseph were taken in March of 1809. These women expanded their charitable work to include hospital care, the aged, the disabled and childcare. But Mother Seton will always be noted for starting the Catholic School system in the United States. She was beatified by Pope John XXIII and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.
Our superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Kathleen Cepelka, Ph.D. has a personal devotion to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. An icon with a relic of St. Elizabeth Ann hangs in her office and I know that she offers prayers daily for the saint’s assistance. We at the archdiocese have recognized significant contributions to Catholic education through the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton award, an original depiction of the saint created by priest/artist Reverend Anthony J. Brankin. The Seton Schools, our most creative and innovative school system, dedicated to serving the inner-city schools is dedicated to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
I remember the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton because on the day of her feast I was installed as the 11th Archbishop of Milwaukee. Today, I celebrate my 12th year as archbishop, of which we have much to be proud of. Like the saint whose day we acknowledge, we have also faced challenges which have questioned our faith and resolve to live for Christ. We have responded with our trust in God and witness to His Son in prayer and action. In our 2014 Synod, we have listened to the movement of the Holy Spirit that guides and directs our future steps as an archdiocese.
Twelve years ago, I accepted the challenge of Pope Benedict XVI to serve the people of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. There were a multitude of unknowns. I have often said that God will provide what we need to accomplish His will. In these 12 years, I have witnessed priests, deacons, religious and lay men and women supporting and standing for the Catholic faith. They have been a source of strength for me personally. They have become my family, joined by the blood of Christ which makes us one. We do not know what challenges are still ahead of us, but I am confident that we will do so with a confidence that God will be with us.
An interesting addition to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's influence in my life is the fact that she was canonized in 1975, the same year I was ordained a priest. Her dedication to charity influenced a multitude of people and helped fashion the Church in the United States. Like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, may we follow God’s will and fashion ourselves as the body of Christ as together, we LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archdiocese of Milwaukee