Episode Nineteen: Elizabeth Ann Seton

0:00Lend with the Saints, from the Marybeggers, Episode 19, Elizabeth and Seaton. Hello, everyone. In this episode, we'll hear about, say, Elizabeth and Seaton, and how fasting and prayer helped her remain close to Jesus, even when things were hard. Have you ever had to do something you didn't like, turning off the lights at bedtime, leaving a fun party, or going out in the car when you wanted to stay home? Sometimes we have to do annoying or difficult things that weren't our idea at all. When that happens, we can give Jesus a tiny gift from our heart by fasting from complaining,

1:01by turning out the lights right away and snuggling into bed when it's time, or smiling and hopping in the car promptly, even though we'd rather stay home. These small choices help us stay close to Jesus. If we remain close to Him, keeping our hearts open to Jesus all the time, we will be able to trust Him and stay close to Him even when truly hard or sad things happen. Saint Elizabeth and Seaton is a great example of this. Because she always stayed close to Jesus, Elizabeth was able to make sacrifices and do things she never thought possible, like leaving her home in New York to live on an old farm in Maryland with sheep and no running water. Elizabeth was born in New York City. She lived at the same time as the first president of the United States, George Washington. When she grew up, she got married and had five children, two boys and three girls.

2:05She had a beautiful house right near the Statue of Liberty in New York. She went to fancy parties with her husband and played games with her children. But then something very sad happened. Elizabeth's husband became very ill and went to heaven. Elizabeth felt scared and lonely. She didn't know how she would take care of her children. Sometimes she cried. But every night, Elizabeth prayed, Jesus, please help me. I trust you. And Jesus heard her prayer. He sent Elizabeth friends to take care of her and her children. And one day, he sent her a new mission. The Bishop of Maryland wrote to Elizabeth asking her to move to Maryland to start a school. Elizabeth packed up her children and moved from New York to Maryland, even though she had never been there before. Elizabeth was nervous as they rode in the carriage down dirt roads far from the busy paved Newark

3:08streets she was used to. She tried to stay calm so her daughters wouldn't realize she was nervous. This is what happened when she got to the new stone house in Maryland. Tell me again, that stone house. Oh, to be six years old with endless energy again. Yeah, sheep. Why? Yes, Beck and chickens too. And our very own chapel. How far away are the boys? Just a few miles away at Mount St. Mary's. We will see them three times every week at the very least. Look, the stone house. It'll be perfect for us. Mama, maybe go explore? Yes, Cat. Don't let Beck out of your sight. I won't. Come on, Beck. Muzzle Siton, welcome to the stone house. I am glad to see you, Father Dubois. Happy to be here. You can look inside, but the plaster partition for the chapel isn't finished yet.

4:10You'll have to stay a few days at the mount until it's ready. Yes, Bishop Carroll told me that might happen. It'll be delightful to have our very own chapel for Mass every day. Anina, are you all right? Mama, there's blood on my hand. No. Oh, dear God, please help us. Mama, there's only one bed who gets to sleep in it. I want the bed. Anina will sleep in the bed. What about us? Do you see the mats in the corner? We will sleep on those with lots of blankets. Why don't you set up our beds while I make Anina comfortable? Yes, Mama. Here, Anina, it's time for bed. Here, Anina, it's time for bed.

5:11I like the stone house, Mama. It will be all we need. Come, climb into bed. Are you comfortable? Yes, I'm ready for sleep. Look, Mama. Very nice job, girls. Are you ready to sleep now? I guess so. Come, good night kisses and then it's off to bed. Good night, good night, Mama. I like my bed. It's like a little nest. I'm bored. A little snuggly bird. Hush back. It's time for sleep. Do you want to sleep? Yes. Well, then I will too. Mama, what are you doing? I am writing to Aunt Julia. Tell her I say hello. I will, Cat. Now go to sleep. Yes, Mama.

6:12Elizabeth's new house in Maryland didn't have enough beds for her daughters and her. This wasn't what Elizabeth wanted. She wanted beds for everyone, including herself. But it was a little invitation to walk with Jesus. To help him carry his cross. Soon more women came to help Elizabeth start the school in Maryland. Together, they built a bigger house with beds for everyone and taught many children. Fasting helps us offer the sacrifices asked of us to Jesus with love. Today, when you have to do something hard, ask Jesus to help you do it with a smile, fasting from any complaining or whining. That could happen when you have to turn off the lights at bedtime, or when you have to get in the car when you want to stay home. Or even if you're asked to sleep in a little nest on the floor. Do I doubt that last one will happen? Tomorrow, I'll be back with a new story about a saint you'll recognize. He was a rock climber.

7:13Can you guess who it is? We'll see if you're right tomorrow. Until then, see Elizabeth and Seaton pray for us. To listen to all of Lent with the Saints and to get a free coloring saints book, go to LentwiththeSaints.com.