A Time For Miracles

 General Description:

In 1975, Elizabeth Bayley Seton was canonized as America's first native-born Roman catholic Saint.  A Time for Miracles tells her inspiring story.

Born in New York City in 1774 of a very distinguished family, Elizabeth seemed destined for a tranquil life.  At age 19, she married William seton and bore him five children.  Tragedy struck when William contracted tuberculosis and died in 1803.  Elizabeth learned that her family fortune was lost.  She converted to Catholicism at a time when Catholics were the object of persecution in the United States.  Her family, even her own children, were shocked by Elizabeth's decision, but she persisted.

Through a friend Elizabeth met Bishop Carroll of Maryland.  He gave Elizabeth the mandate to found the American Sisters Charity and the first American Catholic parochial school.  With little money, in a community flamed with hostility, Elizabeth Seton went about her task.  Until the end of her life, she championed education for women of all faiths, and her order also established orphanages and hospitals.  Despite impossible odds, she succeeded in becoming the surrogate mother to thousands. At her early death (46), her congregation numbered twenty communities across the United States.

This dramatic story starts Kate Mulgrew, Lorne Greene, John Forsythe and Jean-Pierre Aumont.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Feast Day: Roman Rite Calendar - 01/04 Tridentine Calendar - 01/04 Patron Of: Apostleship of the Sea, Death Of Children, Death Of Parents, Diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana, In-law Problems, Opposition of Church Authorities, people ridiculed for their piety, Widows Profile Born into a wealthy and influential Episcopalian family, the daughter of a Dr Richard Bayley, Elizabeth was raised in the New York high society of the late 18th century. Her mother died when Elizabeth was three years old, her baby sister a year later. She married the wealthy businessman William Magee Seton in 1794 at age 19, and was the mother of five. About ten years into the marriage, William's business failed, and soon after he died of tuberculosis, leaving Elizabeth an impoverished widow with five small children. For years Elizabeth had felt drawn to Catholicism, believing in the Real Presence in the Eucharist and in the lineage of the Church going back to Christ and the Apostles. She converted to Catholicism, entering the Church on 14 March 1805, alienating many of her strict Episcopalian family in the process. To support her family, and insure the proper education of her children, she opened a school in Boston. Though a private and secular institution, from the beginning she ran it along the lines of a religious community. At the invitation of the archbishop, she established a Catholic girl's school in Baltimore, Maryland which initiated the parochial school system in America. To run the system she founded the Sisters of Charity in 1809, the first native American religious community for women. Died 4 January 1821 in Emmitsburg, Maryland of natural causes All information used with permission of the Patron Saint Index.

 Other Customers Also Purchased

 Browse For Similar Items In

• Catholic DVDs > Catholic Saint Movies

Related Articles

1. St. John Bosco 01/16/2009

2. Francis and Clare - A New Feature Film 10/01/2008

3. St. Josephine Bakhita 02/08/2008