Saint Elizabeth
Elizabeth Bayley Seton was born two years before the American Revolution. Elizabeth grew up in a New York society. She was a reader, and read everything from the Bible. Elizabeth’s childhood was quiet, simple, and lonely. As she grew a little older, the Bible was to become her support and comfort. In 1794, Elizabeth married the wealthy young William Seton, with who she was deeply in love. The first years of their marriage were happy and prosperous. This time of Elizabeth's life was to be a brief moment of earthly happiness before the many deaths .Within four years, Will's father died, leaving them in charge of Will's seven half brothers and sisters, as well as the family's importing business. Will died of tuberculosis while in Italy. Elizabeth's deep concern for the spiritual welfare of her family and friends eventually led her into the Catholic Church. Elizabeth became interested in the Catholic Faith, and over a period of months, her Italian friends guided her in Catholic instructions. Elizabeth's desire for the Bread of Life was to be a strong force leading her to the Catholic Church. Having lost her mother at an early age, Elizabeth felt great comfort in the idea that the Blessed Virgin was truly her mother. She asked the Blessed Virgin to guide her to the True Faith. Elizabeth finally joined the Catholic Church in 1805. She and two other young women, who helped her in her work, began plans for a Sisterhood. They established the first free Catholic school in America. When the young community