The group visited St. Joseph Cemetery’s Memorial Garden located at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Following Elizabeth’s Footsteps By Chanin Wilson, director of Associates
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n Oct. 8, 2017, 24 Associates and six Sisters of Charity embarked on a six-day pilgrimage to Baltimore and Emmitsburg, Maryland, to learn more about the life of Sisters of Charity founder, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. The group traveled 1,300 miles over four states during the journey, which began and ended at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. S. Judith Metz began each day presenting different aspects of Elizabeth Seton’s life, such as: “Model of Friendship,” “Prayers from the Heart,” “Model of Caregiving,” and “Mary, the First Sister of Charity on Earth.” Each reflection allowed pilgrims to gain a better perspective of the founder of the first religious community of women in the United States.
Pilgrims attended a private Mass at the house Mother Seton lived in on Paca Street in Baltimore, Maryland; it is the same chapel where Elizabeth Seton professed her First Vows.
Throughout the six days Sisters and “The desire to build loving Associates visited the house Mother Seton relationships is what drew me to the Included on the tour of the Seton Shrine were lived in on Paca Street in Baltimore, stops at the museum, Stone House, White Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.” Maryland; the National Shrine of House and the cemetery. - Associate Kate Lears Elizabeth Seton in Emmitsburg – touring “Elizabeth Seton and Mother Margaret George gave the museum, Stone House, White House and the cemetery; the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in these women the courage to go against the way society Emmitsburg to visit the rock Elizabeth Seton would sit upon expected them to behave.” - Associate Karen Elliott C.PP.S and teach catechism to children; and finally, Gettysburg and “Elizabeth Seton challenges me!” the Seminary Ridge Museum. - Associate Maureen Nieman The week-long pilgrimage was a great opportunity for “Having the opportunity to walk the same grounds the Sisters and Associates to get to know each other blessed as Elizabeth Seton has given me a better appreciation of with the spirit of Elizabeth Ann Seton. A few of their her life.” - S. John Michael Geis perspectives follow.
“I was struck by how, as we approached the Gettysburg Battlefield, the normally chatty bus became quiet as we drove on the hallowed land.”
“I have really appreciated this time to get to know our Associates better.” - S. Jane Bernadette Leo
- Associate Mary Jo Mersmann
- Associate Gary Sawyer
VOLUME III, 2017
“Just be, and look for God’s blessings.”
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