Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

Today's Mass Readings

“What are you looking for?”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was born into an Episcopalian family in thoroughly Protestant society of the early United States. Accompanying her husband on a work trip to Italy, her husband died. Staying with a Catholic family during her period of mourning, she observed their piety even while she continued to attend the Church of England services for British expatriates in Italy.

Then, one day during the Corpus Christi procession with the Blessed Sacrament born in the monstrance through the streets and seeing the townsfolk from high-born to low dropping to their knees, she felt a pit in her stomach. The Episcopal priest happened to be next to her and whispered in her ear: “Look at these foolish and superstitious people think that is Christ they’re worshipping.” Yet, Elizabeth Ann had to admit that she felt a pit in stomach because she believed Jesus Christ to be present under the veil of simple bread as well.

“What are you looking for?” “Come, and you will see.” The first apostles sought a teacher, and they found their Lord and God. St. Peter sought a purpose for his life, and was made the Rock on which Jesus would build His Church. And St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was looking for a love that infinite to respond to the infinite sadness that we have inside of each human heart and found it in the Lord Jesus presented fully in His one Church. What we look for and what we find are often different things. Still, the Lord both fulfills and surpasses that desire.

Reflection by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB