Features

Celebrating 50 Years Since Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Canonization

Isabel Gerheim

By ISABEL GERHEIM

The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and Seton Hill University recently celebrated the 50 year anniversary of the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the founder of the Sisters of Charity. The anniversary consisted of a celebration mass that took place in the Sister of Charity motherhouse, Caritas Christi. The gathering included students, faculty, and sisters. Among several special guests, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Charity, Sister Mary Norbert Long, was in attendance as well as University President, Mary Finger. 

Sister of Charity and Vice President for Mission and Identity, Maureen O’Brien, reflected on her personal experience with the canonization. O’Brien stated, “When Elizabeth Ann Seton was going to be canonized, we wanted to have Sisters there to represent the community.” O’Brien said that the sisters’ community was divided into three age groups. Then, ten people were chosen from each group through a lottery. “Being 31 at the time,” O’Brien said, “I was the youngest in the youngest age group.” 

“It took place in Rome, in St. Peter’s Square and there were literally thousands of people there,” O’Brien continued, “In addition to those of us [sisters] who were there for the canonization itself, there were people that were there just to commemorate the Holy Year.

“It was probably the high point of my life. I can’t explain, it was like this journey we have been praying for for so many years. There really aren’t words to express adequately what that day meant,” O’Brien said. 

Growing up, O’Brien had always had an attraction to Seton’s life. “What really attracted me was the fact that she was a mother,” stated O’Brien, adding that this too, became her goal. However, after entering the Sisters of Charity and witnessing the canonization, she said, “It was like it wasn’t the end of the journey, but it was the beginning of a new way of relating to her.” 

“There are many aspects to her life that no matter who you are, you can find a relationship with her…all our students can relate to her in some way,” O’Brien said. 

Bishop Larry J. Kulick performs Mass at the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton 50 Year Anniversary of Canonization celebration in the Chapel of the Assumption, Caritas Christi. Photo provided by Seton Hill University Marketing Staff.

The sisters celebrated at their motherhouse, Caritas Christi for the mass. “It showed that sense that we’re not a community on the other side of the hill…we are one community, we really felt that bond together,” O’Brien stated.

O’Brien reflected on what she wanted the students to take away from the anniversary. “I would like our students to see her [Elizabeth Seton] as certainly a saint, but as someone we admire. As someone who endured a lot of the same struggles that they can relate to.” 

Fellow Sister and Provost of Seton Hill, Sister Susan Yochum, was a student at Seton Hill College at the time of the canonization. “I watched the canonization with my friends on a black and white TV on the third floor of Havey. It was a jubilant time at Seton Hill.

“It was a very influential time in my life,” Yochum continued, “As I learned more about Elizabeth Seton, I could see her spirit and attributes in the Sisters of Charity.” 

Yochum stated, “Our deep community spirit was enhanced by the gravity of the canonization. We celebrate Elizabeth’s legacy daily at Seton Hill through our students, faculty and staff as we strive to transform the world. Together Forward.” 

University Archivist, Casey Bowser, stated regarding the anniversary celebration, “Sister Maureen O’Brien and Sister Eileen Johnston brought together a team of staff and sisters. It was a huge collaborative team effort.” 

Bishop of Greensburg, Larry Kulick, presided over the mass with approximately 300 in attendance on Tuesday night.

“For me, as the archivist, as someone who looks at this historically speaking, this is just giving us a really special moment to look back at that and to appreciate that connection that we have,” Bowser said. 

“Elizabeth Seton was a relatively unknown figure until she was on the pathway to canonization. … The canonization just sort of was the reason that all of this was brought to light, and the reason that we now have our pillars,” Bowser stated, “It’s the reason that we have such a focus on helping the underserved.” 

Bowser commented,“I think going forward, what the Seton Hill community should learn or understand is that we need to continue this in a concerted way, that the Setonian identity should still remain central.”