Prayers for Family

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Holy Women's History Month: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

By: Elizabeth Leon March 14th, 2025

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton revealed herself to me when I needed her the most. My son, John Paul Raphael Leon, was born with Trisomy 18 on January 4, 2018. He was not expected to live long, and our hearts were crushed when he took his last breath at 2:43 pm the next day. As the crushing weight of grief settled upon me, I grasped for meaning in the details of how the Lord allowed our son’s short life to unfold. Was there significance to the hour he died or the number of days he lived? Then, we looked to the liturgical calendar for hope, and there she was: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Feast day January 4th Patron Saint of Grief Oh, my heart. The mercies of our Lord are abundant. While He allowed my child to die, I knew it was no coincidence that my baby was born on the Feast Day of the Patroness of Grief. The Lord offered me the comfort and companionship of this mighty saint to help me learn to carry extraordinary suffering. I knew about Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. I had been to her shrine in Emmitsburg, Maryland and had spent several years teaching in Catholic schools, the educational system she is known for founding. She is even the co-patroness of our diocese in Arlington, Virginia, but I didn’t really know her. She was merely an admirable archetype of holiness, hard work, and perseverance. Then I sought her heart. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!