Christmas: January 4th
Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious (USA and CAN); Wednesday of Christmas Time
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Mass Propers for the Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Entrance Antiphon, Cf. Prv 14:1-2:
Behold a wise woman who has built her house. She feared the Lord and walked in the right path.
Alleluia Verse, Mt 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Communion Antiphon:
I am the living bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever; the bread I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world.

Mass Propers for Wednesday of Christmas Time
Entrance Antiphon, Is 9:1:
A people who walked in darkness has seen a great light; for those dwelling in a land of deep gloom, a light has shone.
Alleluia Verse, Heb 1:1-2:
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
Communion Antiphon, 1 Jn 1:2:
That life which was with the Father became visible, and has appeared to us.


St. Elizabeth Ann Seton—Day ElevenElizabeth Seton was born on August 28, 1774, of a wealthy and distinguished Episcopalian family. She was baptized in the Episcopal faith and was a faithful adherent of the Episcopal Church until her conversion to Catholicism.
She established her first Catholic school in Baltimore in 1808; in 1809, she established a religious community in Emmitsburg, Maryland. After seeing the expansion of her small community of teaching sisters to New York and as far as St. Louis, she died on January 4, 1821, and was declared a saint by Pope Paul VI on September 14, 1975. She is the first native-born American to be canonized a saint.
- Day Eleven Activity (Story Time)
- Day Eleven Recipe (Colonial Wassail)
This wife, mother and foundress of a religious congregation was born Elizabeth Ann Bayley on August 28, 1774 in New York City, the daughter of an eminent physician and professor at what is now Columbia University. Brought up as an Episcopalian, she received an excellent education, and from her early years she manifested an unusual concern for the poor. In 1794 Elizabeth married William Seton, with whom she had five children. The loss of their fortune so affected William's health that in 1803 Elizabeth and William went to stay with Catholic friends at Livorno, Italy. William died six weeks after their arrival, and when Elizabeth returned to New York City some six months later, she was already a convinced Catholic. She met with stern opposition from her Episcopalian friends but was received into full communion with the Catholic Church on March 4, 1805.

- Meditate on these words of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, "What was the first rule of our dear Savior's life? You know it was to do His Father's will. Well, then, the first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly to do it in the manner He wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is His willl. I know what is His will by those who direct me; whatever they bid me do, if it is ever so small in itself, is the will of God for me. Then, do it in the manner He wills it."
- Pray this beautiful prayer of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton daily: Oh Father, the first rule our dear Savior’s life was to do Your Will. Let His Will of the present moment be the first rule of our daily life and work, with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment. Help us to follow it faithfully, so that doing what You wish, we will be pleasing to You. Amen.
- Read more about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton:
- See Catholic Cuisine for some food ideas for her feast day.
- Visit in person or online the National Shrine of Elizabeth Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland, which is where she is buried.
- Nearby is also the National Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, where St. Elizabeth prayed.