Saints & Angels

Prayer to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized, in 1975. A wife, mother, widow, convert, teacher, and foundress of the Sisters of Charity, she is especially dear to Catholic families, educators, and those entering the Church. This devotion joins one of her best-known counsels on constant prayer to a traditional collect asking God for grace through her example and prayers. Her words echo Saint Paul’s command to “pray without ceasing” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Catholics may pray it on her feast, January 4, or whenever they seek perseverance in faith, charity, family life, teaching, or conversion.

We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives, that prayer of the heart which is independent of place or situation, which is a continual lifting up of the heart to God. Lord God, you blessed Elizabeth Seton with gifts of grace as 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 in love for our fellow men and women. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

When to pray it: Pray this on January 4, or when seeking Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s intercession for families, teachers, converts, and Catholic schools.

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