Seton Legacy Weekend in Emmitsburg was filled with the Spirit of Elizabeth Ann Seton: Charity.

The Daughters and Sisters of Charity of North America celebrated their 200th Anniversary with a weekend of prayer and activity at the Elizabeth Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg. On Friday, July 31st the festivities officially opened with a welcomes by Sr. Vincentia DC, chair of the planning committee and Sr. Claire Debes DC, Visitatrix of the Emmitsburg Province. A proclamation was presented from the NCEA to the Sisters of Charity Federation and was accepted by Sr. Barbara Hagedorn SC, President of the Federation. A timeline of significant events of the last 200 years of the spreading of the charism of charity in North America was presented by the Daughters and Sisters of the Federation. The reception which followed was an opportunity to reconnect with “old” friends and to make new ones.

August 1st dawned a day full of grace and activities. The morning liturgy, celebrated by Cardinal George, was joyful and thankful. Cardinal George thanked the Sisters and Daughters of Charity for their service to the people of God in the name of all the bishops. The congregations sang hymns dedicated to Elizabeth Seton. Following liturgy there was opportunities for tours of the shrine, viewing of the new DVD, Seton Legacy, tour of nearby sites related to Elizabeth. On the grounds of the provincial house Civil War enactors portrayed the role of the Daughters of Charity in ministering to both Confederate and Union soldiers. In the evening a concert of music possibly played or enjoyed by William and Elizabeth Seton was arranged by Sr. Alice Ann SC. It provided a beautiful ending to a beautiful day.

Sunday August 2nd showed that the Vincentian charism of “love inventive unto infinity” was indeed alive and well. Sever thunderstorms prevent the dedication of the Legacy Garden out doors, but a beautiful ceremony was celebrated in the Basilica in its place. Each of the Congregations in the Federation were named and their members blessed with holy water by Gregory Gay CM, Superior General of the Vincentian priests and the Daughters of Charity. Their past living of the charism of charity and their call to continue to do so in the future was stressed. The refrain “And God saw that it was good” was constant throughout the celebration.

At the noon Mass, celebrated by Bishop Dennis Madden, children from schools dedicated to Elizabeth Seton took part in the entrance procession and sang in the choir. Many benefactors and others who are particularly devoted to the life of Elizabeth Seton attended the celebration. A luncheon was enjoyed by invited guests and the weekend of celebrating drew to a close. 

Photos by Elena Miranda. Video by Br. Adam Budzyna.