About Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Born in 1774 in New York City into an Anglican family, Elizabeth Ann Bayley married and raised five children. After her husband’s death and a journey to Rome, she embraced the Catholic faith in 1805—becoming the first native‑born American to be canonized. In 1809, she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s, America’s first community of religious sisters, and opened the nation’s first free Catholic school for girls in Baltimore. Through prayer, teaching, and compassionate service to orphans and the poor, St. Elizabeth’s pioneering work laid the foundation for the Catholic parochial school system in the United States. She died in 1821, revered for her faith, charity, and trust in Divine Providence.
Why Pray the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena?
Catholics pray the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena to ask for:
- Strong and holy families
- Wisdom for teachers and students
- Guidance for parents
- Strength for widows and widowers
- Grace for those entering the Catholic Church
- Trust during suffering and hardship
- Special intentions and personal needs
Who was St. Elizabeth Ann Seton?
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first American-born saint. She was a wife, mother, widow, educator, convert to Catholicism, and the founder of the Sisters of Charity in the United States.
When is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s feast day?
Her feast day is celebrated on January 4.
What is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton the patron saint of?
She is the patron saint of Catholic schools, Catholic educators, teachers, widows, converts, and the State of Maryland.
Why is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton important?
She founded the first Catholic religious community for women in the United States and helped establish the American Catholic school system. She is remembered for her holiness, charity, and dedication to education.
What do people pray for in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena?
People pray for holy families, successful Catholic education, strength during loss, guidance for parents, perseverance in faith, and help for those discerning or living a vocation.
When should I pray the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena?
The novena may be prayed at any time during the year. Many Catholics begin it on December 26, concluding on January 3, the day before her feast, while others pray it whenever they seek her intercession.
What can we learn from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton?
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton teaches us to trust God through every trial, love Christ in the Eucharist, educate with compassion, serve those in need, and remain faithful even in the face of hardship.
What famous quote is attributed to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton?
One of her best-known sayings is:
“The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner He wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is His will.”
| Novena Begins: | December 26 |
| Feast Day: | January 4 |
Day 1 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, You blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with abundant gifts of grace as a wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to Your people.
Through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for You by loving our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…