St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Elizabeth Ann Seton experienced many tragedies in her life. It is her strong faith through these struggles that we remember today. She experienced many vocations throughout her life. St. Elizabeth is very relatable because of these roles. She was a wife, daughter, mother, widow, convert, religious sister, educator, and the first native-born American saint. Most of all, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is celebrated for her great faith and trust in God despite her life’s circumstances.
Pray the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton novena with us to ask for her intercession!
About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was born in New York City in 1774. Her family was very rich, and they were part of high society. St. Elizabeth grew up Episcopalian and benefited from the best things in life due to her family’s status.
One of those benefits was learning how to read. It is noted the St. Elizabeth grew up reading the Bible and was very well learned.
Tragedy struck St. Elizabeth’s family early in her life. Her mother died when she was three. A sister died the following year. Still, St. Elizabeth remained cheerful. Her father ensured she grew up learning how to serve others.
As part of a rich family, St. Elizabeth was a popular young woman. Many eligible men wanted to marry her. She was married at age 19 to William Seton. He also came from a wealthy family. They had a happy marriage and loved each other dearly.
The Setons had five biological children. They also cared for William’s seven half brothers and sisters after William’s father died.
Soon after taking on this responsibility, William’s business went bankrupt. At the same time, he contracted tuberculosis. The Setons traveled to Italy to try to save his health. It was too late. St. Elizabeth’s beloved husband died, leaving her alone and poor.
Most people would have rejected God throughout these trials. But the struggles only made St. Elizabeth draw closer to God.
During her time in Italy, St. Elizabeth was introduced to Catholicism. Three things in particular attracted her to the faith: the Eucharist, Mary, and the faith’s history back to the Apostles.
When St. Elizabeth returned to the United States with her family, she became a member of the Catholic Church in 1805. This decision caused many of her family members and friends to abandon her. However, her joy in the faith was stronger than their disapproval.
She and her family moved to Baltimore. She decided to open a school there as a way to support her family financially. The school eventually became a Catholic school. It was the first free Catholic school in the country.
St. Elizabeth’s friends, who ran the school with her, decided to create a religious order. St. Elizabeth joined this new order as well, with amendments made so she could take care of her family.
Within a decade, this order had grown to two schools and two orphanages. St. Elizabeth eventually became the head of the order. It would continue to grow, but she soon contracted tuberculosis. After a period of fighting through illness, St. Elizabeth died in 1821. She was canonized in 1975.
St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of widows, orphans, and those who have difficult relationships with their in-laws.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Feast Day: January 4
Why Pray the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena?
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is one of the most relatable modern saints. She experienced loss early in life, losing both her mother and sister before the age of 4. Then, her husband died early in life. Those who have suffered from the death of a loved one, especially a parent, sibling, or spouse, might find the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton novena comforting.
St. Elizabeth was also a mother, not just to her own children, but also to her husband’s siblings. She can be a powerful intercessor for mothers, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, and all in parental roles.
She also opened her own school and taught for many years. The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton novena is perfect for educators for that reason!
Finally, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was also a convert to the faith and part of a religious order. Those who are converts or considering the religious life may also appreciate St. Elizabeth’s example and intercession.
You can pray the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena for any intention!
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena Prayers
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear God, I know that I should rejoice at death. Someone is returning to You! Yet, death is so hard bear, especially when it’s someone you love so dearly.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, your husband died very young. You loved him so much. Yet he was taken away from you. Not only did you have to suffer being poor, but he died and left you alone to care for your children.
I can’t imagine the heartbreak you must have experienced through that loss. But you did not wallow in your grief, St. Elizabeth. You grew closer to God through it all!
St. Elizabeth, please be close to all those who have lost a spouse or significant other. If possible, help them to become closer to God through this experience. Grant them comfort for their sorrow. Encourage their family members and friends to offer them the love they need.
Please pray for all who have experienced loss of any kind. I ask that you intercede on behalf of all the holy souls in Purgatory, especially those among my own family and friends!
Please also bring before God my other intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord, inspire in me a new love for you each day.
St. Elizabeth, when you journeyed to Italy for your husband’s health, I bet the last thing you expected to find was a new faith. Being a convert certainly wasn’t easy when you lost many of your friends and family members over it. But the love you had for God was much stronger than any prejudice you may have received.
Watching the joy of a new convert is so inspiring. They truly become children again, fascinated by faith and God’s love.
As a faithful person, it’s easy to fall into routine. I want the joy of a convert again!
Please inspire me to have the same sort of joy you felt on entering the faith every day of my life. Help me to see each new morning as another opportunity to be loved by God. Allow me to have a childlike faith that gets excited at tradition and learning new things about our Creator. Intercede for me, that my heart may be on fire with excitement over God!
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, please bless all teachers. What a mighty responsibility you have placed upon their shoulders!
St. Elizabeth, you began a school to support your family. However, your calling became so much greater. You were at the start of Catholic education in America.
Please be with all educators as they shape the minds of the next generation. Provide for them patience to deal with many behaviors. Offer them prudence in what to teach. Most of all, allow them to have opportunities to witness to God!
No matter my calling, I too am called to be a teacher - a teacher of Christ! I have the opportunity to teach Christ to everyone I meet. Point me towards the greatest Teacher of all as an example. Intercede on my behalf and on the behalf of all those I encounter. Help me to emulate Christ’s teaching example as you did!
Please also keep in mind all my intentions, especially
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear God, we know that the gift of parenthood comes from You. Thank You for this wonderful example You have given us!
St. Elizabeth, you were a mother to so many more people than just your own children. In addition to your five children, you were also a mother to your husband’s siblings, your religious sisters, and your students.
St. Elizabeth, inspire me to live out my motherhood or fatherhood in whatever way God has destined for me. Help me to inspire the next generation. Grant me patience to love, and allow me to be a good role model to all children in my care. Help me to defend life, especially the lives of the unborn. Pray that I may always be loving, merciful, and kind to all children, especially my own.
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, I know that marriage is a sign of how much You love us. Thank you for the great gift of marriage!
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, you are one of a few saints who were married. You loved your husband very much. I’m sure his death saddened you greatly.
Please be with all married couples. Help them to grow in love for one another and be a witness to the love that God has for the world. Give them the grace to remain faithful to one another and bless their union with children, if it is God’s will for them.
Please also bless me in my own vocation. Help me to be loving, kind, and faithful on whatever path God has placed me. Please grant me patience to discover His will, and the opportunity to witness to Him no matter where He has placed me.
Intercede on our world’s behalf for the upholding of marriage and family. Allow me to be a witness to the good of married life, whether in my own marriage or in supporting and encouraging Catholic couples in their vocations. Please pray for more faithful, loving, and fruitful marriages!
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, thank you for my family!
St. Elizabeth, your early life was certainly difficult! You lost both your mother and a sibling before the age of 5. It must have been so difficult for you to suffer those losses at such an early age! It was a foreshadowing of the suffering you were to face at your husband’s death.
After all of this tragedy, you must have really valued the family who you had left. Sometimes, disagreements with my family keep me from loving them the way I should. It is so easy to hold grudges instead of offering forgiveness.
St. Elizabeth, if there is negativity in my family, please help me to be the one to forgive. Inspire us to always be there for one another, and have each other’s best interests at heart. Grant us opportunities to offer sacrifices for one another’s blessing. Help us to inspire one another, cheer on one another, laugh together, support each other, and love each other as Christ would. Most of all, help our family to be a witness to God in all we do. Help others to look at our family and think of God!
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, thank you for the example of the Blessed Mother. What an inspiration she is to us!
St. Elizabeth, one of the things that brought you to the Catholic faith was the Blessed Mother. Having lost your own mother, the thought of having one in heaven watching over you made you happy.
Not everyone has such an easy relationship with the Blessed Mother, Saint Elizabeth, especially those who are converts like yourself. It can be hard Catholic’s relationships with her.
St. Elizabeth, please help me to draw closer to the Blessed Mother. Help me to feel her protection. Inspire me with her example. Encourage me to draw close to her through the recitation of the Rosary.
Most of all, help me to know her Son by getting to know her love for Him.
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Jesus - how blessed are we that we get to receive You, Body and Blood, through the Most Holy Eucharist!
Another factor that made you consider Catholicism, St. Elizabeth, was the Eucharist. You were intrigued by the fact that the Church could trace itself back to the very beginning, back to this moment.
And how could you not be enthralled by the Eucharist! It wasn’t enough for Our God to become Man for us; He also became Food for us too!
St. Elizabeth, inflame my heart with the desire to be united to Jesus in the Eucharist. Open my heart to opportunities to draw closer to Him through the Eucharist: by attending Daily Mass, making a Holy Hour at Adoration, or by becoming a Eucharistic Minister.
When my heart is seized with doubt about the True Presence, quiet my fears and remind me of God’s love. Pray that I may have opportunities to feel on fire with this True Love to quell all my doubts. Place people in my life who will encourage me in this devotion. Help educate my mind to know what my heart already does. Intercede for me, that I may come to know our Lord through the worship of His Body and Blood!
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord, I know that Your Will is the best path for me. But sometimes, I find it hard to trust.
You too must have found it hard to trust God all the time, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Your life was certainly filled with hardships.
Yet through it all, you never waved from “The Will” - following God wherever He led you.
I too have faced many trials in my life. My need for control causes me to want to go my own way, to forge my own path and think that I know better than God.
Please help me to trust Him, St. Elizabeth. Remind me that His will has brought me to where I am now. Show me that only He knows the future, not me. Pray that I may always remain on the path that leads to God, just as you did. Intercede for me, that I may never waver from following God’s will.
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.