Charity Reflections
Spiritual reflections by Sisters and Associates
All in the Order of Providence
“…I see all in the order of Providence.” (to Julia Scott) – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, from Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Collected Writings 2, 642. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is enjoying Restaurant Week. (Remember those?) Maybe she is meeting her friend Julia at their favorite...
Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
January 4, 2021 marks the 200th anniversary of Elizabeth Ann Seton's death. Elizabeth Ann Seton Wife, mother, foundress, saint. Her steadfast fidelity, unwavering hope, astute ability to trust in her own experiences, make her a woman for our times as for her own....
Epiphany Reflections
EPIPHANY… … sign, summons… … star, angels’ song... … response, risk, search… … revelation, discovery, faith SEEKERS OF GOD, CALLED & SENT… Mary and Joseph – Shepherds and sages – Simeon and Anna – Elizabeth Seton, Elizabeth Boyle & the early...
November Through the Looking Glass
“The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends; but let us not despond. God is like a looking-glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to him.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, from...
Nothing Says Autumn Quite Like Bittersweet
God who orders all things mercifully mingles sweetness with bitterness. If misfortunes take the upper hand, He spreads the veil of peace on the soul that places trust in Him. –Attributed to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton The bittersweet vine bears a...
September Providence
"Providence awaits me ... I say Amen to it." - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (CW 2, 181) – Elizabeth Bayley Seton Collected Writings, Vol. 2, 181 (Original quote: "Whatever providence awaits me consistent with that plea, I say Amen to it.") As Summer turns toward Autumn,...
Prayer for the Birthday of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, August 28, 2020
Two hundred years ago on August 28, Elizabeth Seton celebrated her 46th birthday in Emmitsburg. Her only living daughter Catherine had returned from an extended stay with the Harpers in Baltimore. Both her sons were at sea – William in the U.S. Navy, Richard on his...
June 21, 2020 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Father’s Day
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12–15; Matthew 10:26–33 We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life, that He gives us every grace, every abundant grace, and … this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty. (St....
To Heaven on Horseback
“If only we keep courage, we will go to heaven on horseback instead of idling and creeping along.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Collected Writings [CW] 2:156) St. Elizabeth Ann is looking toward the sunset, pondering heaven. At second glance, Betty looks to have mounted...
June 14, 2020 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2–3, 14B-16A; Psalm 147:12–20; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; John 6:51–58 Today, we celebrate the real presence of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the elements of the Eucharist. But, in these difficult times, when we are not...