Born in New York on 28^th of August 1774, Elizabeth Anne Bayley Seton was educated in the Episcopalian Church. She married William Seton and had five children with him. Tragically, she became a widow on 27^th of December 1803. Despite facing numerous difficulties from friends and family members, she found faith in the Catholic Church. She dedicated herself to an intense spiritual life while simultaneously taking care of her children’s education. Her desire to dedicate herself to works of charity and education was fulfilled when she founded the Institute of the Sisters of Charity, under the title of St. Joseph, in the diocese of Baltimore. This institute was established for the education of girls. She passed away at Emmitsburg, in the same diocese, on 4^th of January 1821. Her dedication and service were recognized when she was beatified on 17^th of March 1963, and later canonized on 14^th of September 1975. On 25^th of March 1850, the Sisters of Charity of St Joseph founded Elizabeth Anne Bayley Seton merged the Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Invitatory Antiphon: Come, let us worship the Lord; His glory shines among the saints.

Hymn

Lord God, we give you thanks for all your saints

Who sought the trackless footprints of your feet,

Who took into their own a hand unseen

And heard a voice whose silence was complete.

In every word and deed, they spoke of Christ,

And in their life gave glory to his name;

Their love was unconsumed, a burning bush

Of which the Holy Spirit was the flame.

Blest Trinity, may yours be endless praise

For all who lived so humbly in your sight:

Your holy ones who walked dark ways in faith

Now share the joy of your unfailing light.

Antiphon 1: While I live, while I have my being, in time and eternity let me sing praises to God.

Antiphon 2: God can show power by means of weak instruments and wisdom by ignorance. Blessed be God's holy name.

Antiphon 3: Every step we take all day long is a step of nature or a step of grace.

Scripture Reading

Galatians 6:14, 16-18

Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Short Responsory

V. If sufferings abound in us, God's consolation also greatly abound.

R. If sufferings abound in us, God's consolation also greatly abound.

V. Let us carry the marks of Jesus' cross today.

R. If sufferings abound in us, God's consolation also greatly abound.

V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

R. If sufferings abound in us, God's consolation also greatly abound.

Benedictus Antiphon: Take everyday as a ring, which you must engrave, adorn and embellish with your actions, to be offered up in the evening at the altar of God.

Intercessions

Elizabeth Ann left us a heritage of confident trust in the God who guides us through each day and so we pray: R. Loving God, guide us in your love.

Guide you church and all her leaders through the paths of justice to the pastures of peace. R.

Your suffering people live in the dark valleys of fear and violence. Show us the light of your truth in our ministries today. R.

The tables of the hungry are empty. May our generous heart overflow with works of charity toward those without bread. R.

Your goodness and mercy have always guided the Little Company. Challenge us to be people of liberation and hope. R.

Our Father

Concluding Prayer

O God, Who have rewarded Saint Elizabeth Anne Seton with the gift of True Faith and an ardent desire to find You; grant us, through her intercession and by following her example, the grace to seek You always with tireless love, and to find You with sincere faith in our daily service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Hymn

Praise we the woman who, endured

With high heroic fortitude,

Has won renown that shall not die.

A place among the saints on high.

Such holy love inflamed her breast

She would not seek on earth her rest

But, strong in faith and patience, trod

The narrow path that leads to God.

Restraining every forward sense

By gentle bonds of abstinence.

With prayer her hungry soul she fed,

And thus, to heavenly joys hath sped,

O Christ, the strength of all the strong,

To whom alone high deeds belong,

Through herb prevailing prayer on high

In mercy hear thy people’s cry.

All praise to God the father be,

All praise, eternal Son to thee,

Whom with the Spirit we adore

forever and for evermore. Amen

Antiphon 1: Blessed are they who wear themselves out for charity.

Antiphon 2: The union of my soul afflictions with God is my wealth in poverty and joy in deepest.

Antiphon 3: I hope your cross may increase until it purifies like gold; knowing so well how rich a treasure you have, let it work its effects in you.

Scripture Reading

Philippians 3:7-11

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Short Responsory

V. If sufferings abound in us, God's consolation also greatly abound.

R. If sufferings abound in us, God's consolation also greatly abound.

V. Let us carry the marks of Jesus' cross today.

R. If sufferings abound in us, God's consolation also greatly abound.

V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

R. If sufferings abound in us, God's consolation also greatly abound.

Magnificat Antiphon: My heart exults in God, and I am filled with gladness.

Intercessions

Blessed is God, who reveals Himself to those who seek Him with a sincere heart, and who fills those who trust in Him with good things. With faith, we address our prayer to Him:

R. Reveal to us, Lord, the light of Your face.

Holy Father, help us penetrate more deeply the mystery of Christ, and express it more clearly in our lives. R.

Purify the face of the Church, the bride of Your Son; grant Her to walk in hope with the power of Your Spirit. R.

Gather into unity those who boast of the Christian name, so that the world may believe in the one You sent, Jesus Christ our Lord. R.

Remember those who have dedicated themselves to the service of their brothers; may failure or misunderstanding never deter them from their commitment. R.

Comfort our dead with Your eternal love; one day, admit us too into the joyful assembly of the elect. R.

Our Father

Concluding Prayer

O God, Who have rewarded Saint Elizabeth Anne Seton with the gift of True Faith and an ardent desire to find You; grant us, through her intercession and by following her example, the grace to seek You always with tireless love, and to find You with sincere faith in our daily service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.