n October of 2022, my family visited St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Shrine in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Here is a picture of her resting place.
I spent some time praying here, thinking about St. Elizabeth. We have some notable similarities. She and I are converts and teachers. I’ve been teaching my kids now for 14 years using a program that bears her name.
Once you know that you have to convert to Catholicism, there is no more sure decision than that. The decision is easy, but the path isn’t necessarily.
Once I knew Catholicism was true, it was almost torture to have to wait to be confirmed. Andrew, in our Gospel reading today from John, reminds me of what that surety feels like. Andrew followed immediately. He just knew he had found the Messiah and where He was, that’s where he wanted to be.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton once wrote, “I will go peaceably and firmly to the Catholic Church: for if Faith is so important to our salvation, I will seek it where true Faith first began, seek it among those who received it from God Himself.”
When I heard this quote while visiting her shrine, it caused a lot of emotions to well up inside me. She accurately described my thoughts perfectly in why I became Catholic.
To the cradle Catholics in the crowd, you have been handed the most beautiful gift, never envy those of us who have lived life apart from the Church. Many times, cradle Catholics tell me that they envy the fire us converts have, but that’s like envying people who were once on an island starving to death and now have food and are incredibly grateful. To have always had the food is the best option.
To my fellow converts, St. Elizabeth knows that conversion to Catholicism doesn’t always equal an easy path, but God will sustain. Never lose that fire.
Live the Faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
