Reflections on a Day Trip to the Mother Seton Shrine

On Friday, April 24 the University community had the special opportunity to take a day trip to the National Shrine of Mother Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Loaded up with nearly 40 students and a few faculty and staff, the bus rolled off campus at 6:30 a.m. and returned at 7 p.m. with many fun experiences in the hours between. 

When the students arrived at the Mother Seton Shrine, Father Nick Sertich celebrated Mass in the basilica on the altar where Mother Seton’s body is buried. During his homily, Father Nick explained to the students gathered how Mother Seton had a plan and dream for her life that did not exactly turn out as she envisioned. Originally not Catholic, Mother Seton said yes to the Lord’s plan for her life which included becoming Catholic, founding the Sisters of Charity, providing education for the youth and caring for the poor. Mother Seton’s inspiring life resulted in her canonization as the first American-born saint just over 50 years ago in 1975. Father Nick explained to the students in attendance the incredible things that can happen in our lives when we open our minds, hearts and spirits to the work of the Lord and surrender our desires to Him. 

Following Mass, students were guided through the museum which featured many relics of Mother Seton and told her story in a beautiful way. After lunch and some time to explore the many beautiful acres of the shrine, students were taken on a tour through “The Stone House” which was the first house that Mother Seton and her companions lived in upon their arrival in Emmitsburg. Students also had the opportunity to walk through “The White House” which was the first school the Sisters of Charity opened in 1810. The White House was also the place where Mother Seton died in 1821. Lastly, students had the opportunity to visit and offer a prayer at the Mortuary Chapel on the property where Seton Hall’s founder, Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley is buried. 

The National Shrine of Mother Seton represents a special place for Seton Hall, as both the University's namesake (Mother Seton) and founder (Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley) reside there. The opportunity for students to learn more about Mother Seton’s life, take in the beauty of the shrine and celebrate Mass at the altar where she is buried was impactful. When asked what the trip meant to them, students said “Learning more about Mother Seton gave me a greater sense of my purpose in life, who I am called to be. It reminded me that all Christians are called to be saints.” The trip was not only spiritually and academically impactful, but also fostered a deeper sense of community among the students. One student went on to say that it was “a blessing to share this opportunity with my fellow peers. I felt like my relationships with others grew stronger.” As the student’s words reflect, the trip was a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith and community and to find inspiration in the life of our namesake, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. May we all Hazard Zet Forward just as she did.

Categories: Faith and Service, Nation and World