Nick Rause

Dr. Dave
SRT 285 75
Due by June 5, 2020 before 11:59 pm
Take Home Final
PART ONE: READING THEOLOGICAL TEXTS BY SETON (at least 250 words)
Reading Seton can be challenging. What have you learned about how to tackle her work? What are
key theological themes that Seton brings up repeatedly? What does her writing suggest about her
personality? Draw from at least three writings by Seton from the semester.
Elizabeth Ann Seton wrote a lot during her life. She wrote all different kinds of works for many
people and a lot of it had very insightful aspects on being faithful and living life correctly. Also, her
writing can be tricky to understand when you read it for the first time. Even after taking the class all about
Elizabeth Ann Seton, I still find it confusing to read her works. Usually, I have to read what she is saying
multiple times and think to myself, “What is she trying to say her?” I also try to keep in mind what issues
were going on in her times. For example, I think it is important to look at the year in which she is writing.
Elizabeth was an Episcopalian before she converted to Roman Catholicism. She really became interested
in Roman Catholicism while in Italy to help William’s illness. So, I think it is important to know when
William died (1803) so you can know her thoughts when she started to become interested in Roman
Catholicism. She was introduced to it by the Filicchis during tours after Williams had passed away. Also,
I think it is important to know if she wrote works early or later in life. Elizabeth’s early life was much
different than her later life. Early, she came from, I presume, a wealthy home because her father was a
physician. She also married a wealthy William Seton. So, her wealth and lifestyle at the time may be
shown in her writing. But later in life, after William passed, she was in financial troubles. (Note: the
business was failing before William died but I think she really felt the impact after he passed.) Also,
during her financial hardship was when she was converting to Roman Catholicism even though it was not
very popular in her community. She was also starting the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s after William’s
death. Elizabeth’s language may also be different during this time too as she was living her life
completely different now. Some key theological themes that Seton brings up are the Real Presence and
the Eucharist, communication to God through prayer, and devoutness to God. The Real Presence and the
Eucharist are seen in Elizabeth’s life. For example, in the exert from 15 Days of Prayer with Saint
Elizabeth Ann Seton, there is a whole chapter dedicated to the Real Presence and the Eucharist. Elizabeth
writes, “Live always in me, and let me live perpetually in You, and for You, as I live in only by you”
(McNeil 32) Also, in Barthel’s American Saint she writes, “… Elizabeth received Communion in the
Catholic Church for the first time. She had expected to feel humble; instead she felt “A triumph of joy
and gladness that the deliverer was come, and my defense and shield and strength and Salvation made
mine for this world and the next” (Barthel 109). Next, Elizbeth’s communication to God through prayer
can be seen all through her life. For example, she mentions prayer quite often while in the Lazzaretto
during her time in Italy. She writes, “We pray and cry together, till fatigue overpowers [William]…”
(Seton 9) and also “The first day of it, that dear day in which I always find my blessing was passed in
interpreted Prayers…” (Seton 16). These were just two examples of the many that she includes about
praying during her stay in the Lazzaretto. She also prays to William during his illness there. Lastly, her
devoutness to God can be seen throughout her life. For example, in Barthel’s American Saint, she notes
that Elizabeth wrote, “At six taking my little sister Emma up to the garret showing her the setting sun told
her God lived up in heaven and good children would go there—teaching her her prayers” (Barthel 21).
From a young age, Elizabeth was aware of God. Also, another example is, “She had left her Episcopal
community of prosperous, literate people for the congregation of poor, smelling immigrants. Leaving
Trinity meant leaving behind all social status, all hope of prosperity and comfort, the respect and honor of
those who she respected and honored” (Barthel 106). By leaving, she means converting to Roman
Catholicism even though it was not popular. I think that this takes a strong person who is devout to God
to want to make this choice. The above statement also underscores Elizabeth Seton’s personality. She was
a devout Christian who was strong minded and really fearless. She started a community of Sisters which
would be the first in America. Also, she went against the norm in New York and converted to a religion
that was not popular among her cohort. She is a remarkable woman.

PART TWO: SETON COMPARED TO OTHER FAITH TRADITIONS AND WORLDVIEWS (at least
250 words)
Mother Seton was Episcopalian, then Catholic. How did her views change upon converting to
Roman Catholicism? Mother Seton also lived during the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason
and was often skeptical of organized religion. Compare Mother Seton's views to those of the
Enlightenment. Barthel, by the way, addresses this issue on page 56. Finally, how would Mother
Seton's views fit or clash with twenty-first century America?
Mother Seton, I think, became even more spiritual and centered on God than ever before. She was
spiritual when she was a child, commenting about heaven but I do not think she found her full likeness of
religion until she converted to Roman Catholicism. She was amazed by the churches and the way they
conducted mass. She really enjoyed the Real Presence and Eucharist. She felt a real connection to God at
this point. Even though she was very interested and faithful in her prayers, she became even more in tune
with God and herself when she converted. Mother Seton lived during the Enlightenment. This past
semester, in my Western Cultures class, we talked about Enlightenment and how it was all about reason.
In Barthel, she comments about how deism was a growing concept as the founding fathers and how it
rejected the dependence on biblical revelation (Barthel 56). Elizabeth would not have agreed with this.
Deism encompasses that no spiritual being interacts with human nature. Elizabeth, I think would beg to
different because she saw God in almost everything! She was very devout to God and prayer to him
constantly. Even from a young age, she was interested in religion and how God is with people. To further
show Elizabeth Seton’s connection to God, Barthel writes about her being mystical. “If being a mystic
means being constantly—Constantly—aware of the presence of God in her life, going beyond spiritual
reading and vocal prayer to a deep basking in the grace and love of God, then she was” (Barthel 126).
Elizabeth knew very well that she had a connection with God. Mother Seton’s views on religion with both
fit and clash with twenty-first century America. For example, her views would fit with twenty-first
century America in that God plays a huge rule in life and spirit. There are people in America who are very
centered on God and look at aspects of life through this connection. One instance is Catholic Social
Teaching. It is a way to look at issues through the common good as just one example. However, Mother
Seton views would clash with twenty-first century America in that there is such a growing skepticism
about religion in American and around the world. For example, there is an agnostic belief. Agnostic belief
is when “a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God
or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God”
(Merriam-Webster Contributors). Elizabeth believed in the nature of God and she believed that he
existed.

PART THREE: NEED FOR A MORE JUST WORLD (at least 250 words)
How do Mother Seton, the Sisters of Charity, and Seton Hill address social justice issues, including
through Catholic Social Teaching?
Mother Seton addressed social justice issues in various ways. One issue she addressed was education for
the poor. She felt that even those who could not afford an education should be able to still have access for
one. Also, even though she faced backlash about free education for those who could not pay but payment
required for those who could, she opened her schools. The Sisters of Charity also were advocates for the
poor and Barthel writes in American Saint, “Poverty meant that everything was held in common” (Barthel
169). This application was for the sisters when they practiced holy poverty and mortification. Seton Hill
address the social justice issue of poverty by providing assistance to students who may not be able to
afford an education. Also, they provide information about different programs where students can apply
for education payment assistance. To add, Seton Hill is also very acceptant of all scholarships or grants a
student may be provided. More broadly, Mother Seton addressed social justice issues by looking at them
through God and her views from Roman Catholicism. She viewed them as everyone is equal and there
should not be gain of someone at the loss or disadvantage of another person. Elizabeth founded the Sisters
of Charity and instilled these values in the community. These sisters aid suffering populations around the
nation by providing assistance when they can. For Seton Hill, as a university, I think they provide
information about social justice issues occurring around the nation and the world. Sometimes, I think that
they may be able to do better in raises awareness of issues by integrating long standing and unsolved
issues into the curriculum, especially in a core class. It may be hard to integrate the conversations into a
major focused class but that does not mean that social justice issues for that major cannot be discussed.
For example, I was thrilled that we talked about climate change in microbiology this semester. I think that
it is important to look the issue from all different standpoints to try and improve. With no fault to the
professor, there was not a lot of information in the textbook on climate change but there was a point made
to cover the issue. Therefore, I am glad. Seton Hill is very focused on Catholic Social Teaching and I
think that it is expressed throughout the university. One of the first interactions I had with it was during
fall semester freshman year in Faith, Religion, and Society. My professor really focused heavily on it and
it shows throughout the university.

PART FOUR: YOUR FAITH JOURNEY (at least 250 words)

How has studying Mother Seton, the Sisters of Charity, and Seton Hill impacted your faith life/your
attitude toward Seton, the Sisters, and Seton Hill? What has been clarified or amplified for you? 
Mother Seton was a devout Catholic. She was very sure in her faith that she knew she wanted to
be Roman Catholic. Mother Seton has impacted by faith as to be more invested in it. I feel as though I am
drifting from Catholicism because of the stress from school and the world in general. I have not been as
active as I normally am and learning about Mother Seton made me want to prioritize my time better so I
can enjoy it again. I feel as if a part of me has been set aside and I have not even noticed because I am to
stressed throughout the semester and then working during the breaks. The Sisters of Charity have shown
me how strong a relationship can be with God. I do not think that I have or had as strong as a relationship
with God or my faith as they have. I do not know if I ever will have a relationship like that. I was not
raised in a household that was very religious although we were taught to be faithful. My parents taught
my sister and I about faith in whatever we wanted to have faith in. They did not want to push their beliefs
on us but rather us make our own beliefs. As for Seton Hill, I am even more grateful that I attend such a
wonderful school. From taking this class, I now think that I am more connected to the school. I was
talking to my friend Austin about class just a couple nights ago. He asked me about how it was going, and
I told him about the interesting aspects of Seton Hill I would never have known if I did not take this class.
Also, I told him about the history of Mother Seton and how it astonished me about the person she was. I
think it astonished him too. My attitude toward Elizabeth Seton and the Sisters of Charity has grown to a
great respect. I had an immense respect for Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity before but know to
know their roots and how they changed lives is truly remarkable. Also, it is quite interesting to learn
about the impact of Elizabeth Seton and the Sisters of Charity on our university.
PART FIVE: KEY THEMES AND CONCEPTS IN THEOLOGY (at least 250 words)
Discuss Seton's attitude toward the following: the Eucharist, the hierarchy of the Church, the Bible,
prayer, faith, love. Quote her on these issues. Get specific.
Elizabeth Ann Seton loved the Eucharist. Barthel writes, “… Elizabeth received Communion in
the Catholic Church for the first time. She had expected to feel humble; instead she felt “A triumph of joy
and gladness that the deliverer was come, and my defense and shield and strength and Salvation made
mine for this world and the next” (Barthel 109). Barthel also writes, “Beyond that biblical base, she felt
closer to Christ in the Catholic Church because of the doctrine of the Real Presence, the belief that in the
Eucharist, Jesus came to her in a profoundly intimate way that she accepted as mystery” (Barthel 105). As
described above in the quotes, they tell us that she felt closer to Christ because of the Eucharist. I cannot
find the direct quote in the book or in any of the provided writings for the class, but I remember reading
or hearing from somewhere that she would go from church to church to receive Communion with her soul
sister. Elizabeth Ann Seton was very respectful but also very bold when the hierarchy of the church
questioned her. Barthel writes, “Elizabeth chose confrontation… she wrote to Bishop Carroll… I have
endeavored to do everything in my power to bend myself to meet the last appointed Superior in every way
but after continual reflection on the necessity of absolute conformity with him, and constant prayer to our
Lord to help me, yet my heart is closed” (Barthel 141). This example above comes from the context when
Elizabeth’s rights were becoming limited. It was the practice to obey the priest and the nuns were to
comply with the orders of the Church. Elizabeth did not think this was fair. Elizabeth loved reading the
Bible. On her trip to Italy with William and Anna, she took her Bible as it was her way to connect to God
in the Lazzarato. Barthel writes, “… [Elizabeth’s] God largely confined to the pages of her Bible and the
Book of Psalms” (Barthel 33). In the Lazzarato, she was confined with William and Anna. William was
not very spiritual at this time and she usually didn’t bring up religion to him often. To add, Barthel also
writes, “Elizabeth has two Bibles—one she used from 1805, when she became a Catholic, to 1813, then
one from 1813 until her death. She marked many passages in both, underlined phrases and words, and
made marginal notes…” (Barthel 111). Elizabeth probably read the Bible daily and she also read psalm
118 every day in the Lazzarato. Elizabeth loved to pray. She prayed all the time. Like I said previously,
she prayed psalm 118 daily in the Lazzarato. I think that she prayed so much because this was a way to
communicate to God. Prayers also comforted her. Barthel writes, “The first day in the Lazzarato set the
pattern for the days ahead: prayer and comfort, then tears and anguish, refuge in prayer again—alone or
with Anna, with Will when she was able” (Barthel 8). Most of the time, she found relief in prayer and this
was good when she was in the Lazzarato when William was declining because of his condition. Elizabeth
was very faithful. When she was younger, her faith was private. As she aged, she was more openly
expressive with her faith. Barthel writes, “… [Elizabeth] did “love the Lord your God with all your soul”
(Gospel of Matthew, Barthel 29). Elizabeth had a lot of faith in God and turned to him for comfort and
assurance. Elizabeth loved all kinds of people and the Roman Catholic faith. She was a devout Roman
Catholic but before, she was an Episcopalian. Elizabeth also loved her children, her husband, and her
friends in her faith community. Barthel writes, “… she was a religious woman who loved the Christian
way and dared to support her conscience” (Barthel Foreword). Elizabeth lived her life through Christian
values which tell us to love everyone and the world.
 Works Cited

Barthel, Joan. American Saint the Life of Elizabeth Seton. Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's

Press, 2014.

McNeil , Betty Ann. 15 Days of Prayer with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton . New City Press , 2002.

Merriam-Webster Contributors . “Agnostic.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, 2020,

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agnostic.

Seton , Elizabeth Ann. Italian Journal, 3 Oct. 1803, pp. 1–40.