Relics of the First American Saint

Since we just passed the 4th of July, here are pictures of some relics of the very first person born within the United States to be canonized, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. These were taken at an exhibit of Seton family treasures in her shrine in Emmitsburg, Maryland, by Matthew Swaim, who was invited to the opening in his capacity as host of the Son Rise Morning Show on EWTN Radio, and as Outreach Manager for the Coming Home Network, Mother Seton was a convert from Episcopalianism. Our thanks to Mr Swaim for sharing them with us.

Bonnet and shawl belonging to St Elizabeth herself, a form of dress adopted by the early Sisters of Charity from traditional Italian widows’ attire.

Provisional Regulations of the Sisters, hammering out their rule of life, when and how they would eat, pray, sing, study and more.

A crucifix that belonged to the Saints, with skull and crossbones; the back of it reads “Mother Seton – 1810.”

An oil painting of St Joseph and the Child Jesus that Mother Seton brought with her from Baltimore to Emmitsburg.

An 1818 edition of Butler’s Lives of the Saints, open to the entry about St Joseph, in honor of the Year of St. Joseph.

A sketch by Fr. Simon Bruté of Mother Seton at her daughter’s deathbed. In 1834, Bruté, whom John Quincy Adams once called “the most learned man of his day in America,” became the first bishop of Vincennes, Indiana. (The see was later transferred to Indianapolis.)