Elizabeth Ann Seton (August 28, 1774 – January 4, 1821) was the first native-born citizen^[1] of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church on September 14, 1975.    She established the first Catholic girls’ school in the nation in Emmitsburg, Maryland where she also founded the first American congregation of religious siststers, the Sisters of Charity.

She was canonized by Pope Paul VI on September 14, 1975, in a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. In his words, “Elizabeth Ann Seton is a saint. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American. All of us say this with special joy, and with the intention of honoring the land and the nation from which she sprang forth as the first flower in the calendar of the saints. Elizabeth Ann Seton was wholly American! Rejoice for your glorious daughter. Be proud of her. And know how to preserve her fruitful heritage.”

[Front, p.1]

I have often told you my Rebecca[1] that I had determined never again to allow myself the enjoyment of any affection beyond the bounds of moderation – but really your affectionate letters, the rememberance of past hours, and the thousand thoughts of you that strike me every day at this place, makes it not an easy matter to restrain my expressions when I write you. I never sweep the Hall, or dress the flower Pots, or walk round th Pear-tree walk, but you are as much my companion as if you were actually near me, and last Eve[nin]g finding myself Accidentally by the Garden fence at the head of the lane where we once stood at sun-set last Fall anticipating What we would do this Summer if Willy[2] hired Craggdon, I was so struck with the recollection and the uncertainty of when I should see you again, that I had a hearty crying spell, which is not a very common thing for me, nor do I suppose would have happened but that I have ever since the first moment you left me had a strong presentiment that our seperation was for a long while –  my spirits too were very much depressed by a letter I received from Aunt Caley with a Box containing the Legacy’s of her Mother, one is her

[Inside, p.2]

Watch left to Mrs. Andrew Seton, and to her Daughter Elizabeth at her death – the other the Picture of our Father which is left to his Eldest Daugther unmarried, consequently is yours my love. I suppose you remember the Picture it was done by Ramage and sent to your GrandMother in the year ninety. – I am to deliver it in your own hands is the direction. –

James, and Maitland were here yesterday Afternoon – Eliza has been very unwell – but is now better. She passed the day with me Sunday week with her darling little Babe and Dick was very Jealous of him as I had him most of the time – it is a fine lovely child. – James says his Darling Spaz has had the Dissentary, and seemed very low Spirited. I advised him to give her Rice water, which has cured Richard[3] every time he has had it. Poor Mary has really more trouble than she can bear. I have not had a letter from the Girls since Williams return, I suppose it is owing to their want of Quills and Paper. Ogden promised me he would send them a good stock to Aunty and she was to forward them. The Dear little Boys as sent a letter for Cecelia and have both written to me and to Willy also. You don’t know how much uneasiness I have had about William since his return he has been often unwell, tho’ nothing

[Inside, p.3]

very serious, yet enough [to keep] me in constant alarm. Your little Angel too has [had the] Sprue and suffered very much I send you a little curle of his beautiful light hair[4] cap. It will not be more precious to you than Celia’s wreath is to Anna, all the Gold and Silver in the world could not be half the Value to her – Kiss the dear little Puss for me a thousand times I wish I could send her something to remind her of her Birth day – but I will not forget her here – I suppose William told you Mrs. Scott is to spend some time with me – She is in very low spirits poor little soul, and as I am not very high so we jog on but heavily, She came last Saturday, with her Daughter about Harriets age, who is a very fine girl and delights Anna exceedingly for since little Aunty has been away she has been very much at a loss – Farewell my dearest Girl remember me to Maria – and believe me yours most affectionately

E.A.Seton

3^rd  August 1799 –

[Back]

Cragdon                                                          Aug 1799

Miss Seton

[…] M. […] Esq.

Dover

Delaware

[1] Seton, Rebecca Mary, 1780-1804.

[2] William Magee Seton, married to Elizabeth A. Seton.

[3] Richard Seton, son of Elizabeth A. Seton and William Magee Seton.

[4] Best guess.

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“Saint Patrick’s Breastplate” is a hymn whose original old Irish lyrics were  attributed to Saint Patrick  his Irish ministry in the 5th century.

It is written in the style of a druidic incantation for protection on a journey. It is part of the Liber Hymnorum, a collection of hymns found in two manuscripts kept in Dublin.

The words were translated into English verse by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1889 and set to two traditional Irish tunes, “St. Patrick” and “Deirdre” the hymn, also known by its opening line “I bind unto myself today”, is currently included in the Lutheran Service Book [Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod], English Hymnal, the Irish Church Hymnal and The Hymnal (1982) of the U.S. Episcopal Church.

It is often sung during the celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick on or near March 17, as well as on Trinity Sunday. In many churches it is unique among standard hymns because the variations in length and metre of verses mean that at least three different tunes must be used – different in the melody sung by the congregation.

The prayer known as “Faeth Fiada” or the “Lorica of St. Patrick” (St. Patrick’s Breast-Plate) was first edited by Petrie in his “History of Tara.”

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.
I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.
I arise today, through
God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

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