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Many of the windows depict saints who are significant to the Daughters of Charity, who trace their roots in the United States to Mother Seton. The saints featured include St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Patrick, St. Catherine Laboure, St. Rose of Lima, and St. Louise de Marillac, who cofounded the Daughters of Charity in France in 1633 with St. Vincent de Paul. In 1968, five years after her Beatification by Pope John Paul XXIII, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton found her final resting place at the chapel. In 1991, Pope John Paul II declared the chapel a Basilica, and it was formally named The Basilica of The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. “When the Basilica was being built in the 1960s, parts of Europe were still recovering from World War II, which spurred the production of stained glass windows since many of the churches were being rebuilt,” said Sister Anne Marie Lamoureux, a Daughter of Charity and tour guide at the Shrine. The stained glass windows are located throughout the Basilica and can even be found in the confessionals and in the choir loft, which features windows with saints related to music including Pope Gregory I, who created the Gregorian chant, and Pope Pius X, who encouraged music during Mass.
The light streams through the windows at different times throughout the course of the day providing beautiful rays of color in the Basilica. There are times when the entire Basilica is aglow with beautiful light, an inspiring sight to behold. The Basilica at The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year round. Tours of the Basilica, grounds, and museum celebrating Mother Seton’s life are available Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and special events, concerts, and festivals are held throughout the year.
Upcoming Events at The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
For more information on these events visit www.setonheritage.org or call 301-447-6606. Spring Concert Series Sunday, March 30, 4 p.m. Taizé Service of Prayer Meditative service of music, silence and prayer led by the Mount St. Mary’s University Chapel Choir Bell and History Handbell Festival Sunday, April 6, 5 p.m. Six handbell ensembles will celebrate the theme “Let Freedom Ring” in honor of the 150th anniversary of emancipation in Maryland Capella Cattolica Sacred Music Concert Sunday, April 13, 4 p.m. This community group of musicians will perform sacred music from the 15th century to today. Williamsport Maryland Community Band Sunday, April 27, 4 p.m. The 70-member band will perform patriotic hymns and classical favorites.
60 SPRING 2014
Bell and History Day Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate the beginning of the museum season in Frederick County with the ringing of the Heritage Bells, living historians, crafts and tours. Nursing a Nation Divided Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn about the medical science of the Civil War era at this festival, which will feature living historians, re-eanactors, and period demonstrations. Easter Triduum Holy Thursday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. Good Friday, April 18, 3 p.m. Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 20, 1:30 p.m.