St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Feast Day: January 4
Patron of: Catholic Schools, In-Law Problems,
Widows, and Death of Parents

Born into high class New York City Elizabeth married William Seton at the age of 19. About 10 years into their marriage, William’s business failed and he died of tuberculosis, leaving her a widow with five small children. This experience eventually led her to convert
to Catholicism. To support her family, Elizabeth opened a school in Boston and later, at the invitation of the archbishop, established a Catholic girls school. This began the parochial school system in America. Later, she founded the Sisters of Charity to run the system.