STORY: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first American born Saint to be canonized. She grew up in a wealthy protestant family in New York and married a man named William Seton. After William’s father died, they took in William’s seven siblings and ran the family business. Unfortunately, William contracted tuberculosis; they moved to Italy so he could rest and recover but he did not survive. During this time Elizabeth found Catholicism and converted. Upon returning to the States she started the first free Catholic school and founded a religious order. From there, other orders and countless more schools were born.

PATRON OF: in-law problems, against the death of children, widows, death of parents, and opposition of Church authorities

FEAST DAY: January 4

DATES: August 28, 1774 – January 4, 1821

SOURCE: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at Catholic.org

READ MORE: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at Catholic Encyclopedia

Image attribution: Anonymous Russian icon painter (before 1917)Public domain image (according to PD-RusEmpire), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons