Pilgrimage Packet & customizable flyer - National Shrine of Saint ...

Why Go on a Pilgrimage?Walk the Path of Our AncestorsThe origin of pilgrimages in Catholiclife can be traced as far back as the holyfeasts of the Hebrew people. It was ofcourse during a pilgrimage to Jerusalemthat our Lord was famously misplaced bythe Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. Thelong history of pilgrimages, and the factthat there are pilgrimage traditions evenin non-Christian faiths, tells us that theimpulse to journey to holy places is innateto the human spirit.Quite natural it was for the early Christiansto visit the sites of Christ’s redemptive acts,as well as the places where his first followersshed their blood to make those acts knownto the world. At first such journeys werefraught with danger and were thus secretendeavors, but after Constantine made thepractice of Christianity legal they couldbe carried out openly. The popularity ofpilgrimages during the Middle Ages ofcourse is widely known, but from thetestimony of Saints like Jerome and JohnChrysostom, it is clear that the practice ofpilgrimage was established in the Catholicfaith from early on (and recommended bythese great Saints).However, it was during the Middle Agesthat pilgrimage became a popular practice,and thus it is from this age that we mightglean the best guidance for making aspiritually enriching pilgrimage today.Medieval pilgrims were keenly aware ofwhat they were about when on pilgrimage.They filled their time with prayer. And theysought that the pilgrimage would bear realspiritual fruit in their lives.

The Life of Saint Elizabeth Ann SetonMr. and Mrs. William Magee Seton andtheir oldest child, Anna Maria, 8, embarkedon a pilgrimage of faith in the fall of 1803,from New York to Leghorn (Livorno), Italy.The Shepherdess sailed across the Atlanticcarrying the Setons to a milder climate whichcould restore the health of William Magee,35, husband, father of five children (ages 14mos. to 8), and prominent businessman.The Setons’ journey of hope initiated thechain of events that led to Elizabeth BayleySeton converting to Roman Catholicismand her remarkable establishment of thefirst apostolic community of religious womenin the United States. The National Shrineof Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton stands todaywhere she prayed and worked, offering allher life’s joys and sufferings to AlmightyGod. Today pilgrims continue to discoverthe natural beauty and peace so familiar toSaint Elizabeth Ann who shares her wisdomwith all who visit her valley home, whichshe called, a “Valley of Blessings.”“ You will believe because you knowhow blessed they are who rest on ourHeavenly Father—not one struggle nordespondent thought to contend with—confiding Hope and consoling Peacehas attended my way thro’ storms anddangers that must have terrified a Soulwhose Rock is not Christ.”—Saint Elizabeth Ann SetonThe Life of Elizabeth Ann Seton,a Saint for Our TimesElizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was bornAugust 28, 1774, in New York, shortlybefore the American Revolution. Wealthyand socially prominent, the Bayley andSeton families were acquaintances offamous colonists who molded Americanhistory like George Washington, AlexanderHamilton, and Gouverneur Morris.Elizabeth’s parents were Dr. RichardBayley, New York’s first Public HealthOfficer, and Catherine Charlton, daughterof the rector of St. Andrew’s EpiscopalChurch on Staten Island. Elizabeth mayhave been baptized at Trinity Church onlower Broadway, though the Great Fireof 1776 destroyed all records. She was afervent communicant of the ProtestantEpiscopal Church until her conversionto Catholicism 30 years later. In her ownwords, it was during her youth that her“enthusiastic love of God and admirationof His works” were nurtured. Elizabeth’smother died when she was not yet three.A year later, her father married CharlotteAmelia Barclay, daughter of AndrewBarclay and Helena Roosevelt Barclay.She and her sister Mary Magdalen, spentthe greater part of their early years withUncle Will Bayley, their father’s brother,and his large family in New Rochelle andreceived an excellent education. Elizabethunderstood French well.About 1791, she met William Magee Seton,scion of an ancient Scottish family and heirto the family’s considerable shipping andimporting interests. Nineteen-year-old BettyAnn married twenty five- year-old WilliamMagee January 25, 1794. The couple wereactive members of New York’s younger socialset. Initially living in the Seton family homeat 61 Stone Street when expecting theirfirst child, they moved to 27 Wall Street,near the Alexander Hamiltons. Elizabethdescribes these years later: “My own home at20—that and heaven, too, quite impossible!”Anna Maria was born May 3, 1795. WilliamSeton III was born the following year, onNovember 24. William Magee’s father diedin 1798, and the young Setons returnedto Stone Street to care for Will’s youngerhalf-brothers and half-sisters.Three more children were born to Willand Betty: Richard, Catherine and Rebecca.Elizabeth seized every opportunity to shareher personal service and worldly abundancewith the city’s needy, especially poor widowswith young children. She along with herfriends was a founding member of theSociety to Aid Poor Widows with YoungChildren in 1797. The country’s undeclaredwar with France took its toll on the Seton-Maitland Company shipping business,and the firm was forced into bankruptcy.In August 1801, Elizabeth’s beloved fatherdied tending yellow fever victims. The mostcrushing blow came when tuberculosisafflicted William Magee. To restore hishealth, he and Elizabeth decided on a“change of air” and a visit to businessfriends, the Filicchi brothers, Antonio andPhoto courtesy of Daughter of Charity Provincial Archives,Emmitsburg, MDFilippo, at Leghorn, Italy. Eight-year-oldAnna Maria accompanied them. William’shealth seemed to improve during the7-week voyage, but upon arrival at Leghorn,port authorities quarantined them for amonth in San Jacopo Lazaretto. Eight daysafter his release, William Magee died inPisa. Antonio and Amabilia Filicchi openedtheir home to the young widow and herdaughter. For the first time, Elizabeth wasexposed to Roman Catholicism and foundthe Filicchis’ deep faith to be one whichcorresponded perfectly to her soul’s needs.Elizabeth and Anna, now called Annina,sailed to New York six months later. Joyfullyreunited but the little family faced muchreduced circumstances. During the nextyear, Elizabeth examined the Catholic faiththoroughly, her conscience and emotionsin turmoil. Most disheartening were herunsuccessful efforts to support her familyby teaching and related jobs; her leaningstoward Catholicism repulsed the familiesshe tried to serve, and misunderstandingsled them to withdraw their children fromher tutelage. Her final decision to enter theCatholic Church brought total alienationfrom all but her dearest friends and relatives.On March 14, 1805, at St. Peter’s Churchon Barclay Street, she made her professionof faith and on March 25 received HolyCommunion for the first time as a RomanCatholic. She was confirmed there a yearlater by Bishop John Carroll. ElizabethOver »

(Top) Mother Seton’s Stone House where she founded the Sistersof Charity of St. Joseph’s in 1809. (Above) The White House whereMother Seton and her twelve Sister companions, two pupils, hersister-in-law, and three daughters moved in February 1810.accepted the invitation of French émigréSulpician priests, notably Rev. WilliamDubourg, to establish a girls’ school inBaltimore. On June 16, 1808, she and herdaughters arrived at their new home onPaca Street, adjoining St. Mary’s Collegeand Seminary. By September, Elizabethwas ready to receive her first students.In December, her first spiritual daughter,Cecilia O’Conway of Philadelphia joinedher. The following spring, her sisters-in-law,Harriet and Cecilia Seton, visited her fromNew York. On March 25, 1809, Elizabethmade private vows of chastity and obediencefor one year and received the title, “Mother.”The infant community adopted a simpleblack habit and white cap (later changedto black) to become the Sisters of Charityof St. Joseph’s. Samuel Sutherland Cooper,a well-to-do 39-year-old seminarianbecame interested in Elizabeth’s endeavorand offered $10,000 to purchase the oldFleming farm in Emmitsburg for thecharitable mission of Sisters of Charity.Cooper envisioned that “this establishmentwill be made at Emmitsburg, a village18 leagues from Baltimore, from whenceit will spread over the United States.”Elizabeth and a few companions arrived inEmmitsburg about June 24, 1809, but theirhome was not yet ready. Rev. John Duboisoffered the hospitality of his log cabin onSt. Mary’s Mountain. Six weeks later, onJuly 31, the community began living aregular way of life as Sisters of Charity inthe Stone House in the St. Joseph’s Valley.Sixteen women and children occupiedits four rooms. With two new arrivalsthe Stone House literally overflowed.Construction on St. Joseph’s House, knowntoday as the White House, was begun. Thebasic log structure welcomed its first daypupils on February 22, 1810. In establishingthe school, Mother Seton became a pioneerof free Catholic education. A free schoolfor girls, St. Joseph’s was conducted by theSisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s with theblessing and support of Archbishop JohnCarroll, local clergy and satisfied parents.On May 14, as a source of needed revenue,five boarders were admitted, the numbergrowing to 30 by year’s end. One year afterMother Seton’s death in 1821, there wereabout 80 boarders, and 60 Sisters living inthe White House.A favorite refuge of Mother Seton wasthe natural grotto and mountain streamon St. Mary’s Mountain, two miles tothe southwest. The rugged, craggy terrainprovided an ideal setting where seatedon a low, smooth rock, Mother Setontaught catechism to the children of themountain parish.As early as 1810, the Sulpicians proposedthe Daughters of Charity, cofounded bySaints Vincent de Paul and Louise deMarillac in 17th century Paris, to be themodel for an American community ofSisters of Charity.The Vincentian mission, spirit, andapostolic service attracted Elizabeth. Shewrote to a close friend, “If you recollectthe system of the Sisters of Charity beforeand since the Revolution in France, youwill know the rule of our community in aword…” The following year, Mother Setonwrote, “Our community increases very fast,and no doubt will do a great deal of goodin the care of the sick and instruction ofchildren which is our chief business.”Elizabeth Bayley Seton, age 46, died onJanuary 4, 1821, in the room adjoiningthe chapel in the White House. On herdeathbed, she whispered a message for herspiritual daughters: “Be children of theChurch, be children of the Church.” MotherSeton was buried in the original graveyardof the Sisters of Charity, St. Joseph’sCemetery, next to her daughters, Anninaand Rebecca, and her sisters-in-law, Harrietand Cecilia. Her remains were transferredto the Mortuary Chapel in 1846 until the1962 canonical exhumation in preparationfor her Beatification. Her sacred relics wereenshrined above the main altar in SaintJoseph College chapel April 18, 1963, andfive years later transferred to the new chapelof the Daughters of Charity at St. Joseph’sProvincial House, January 4, 1968, knownnow as the Basilica of Saint ElizabethAnn Seton of the National Shrine of SaintElizabeth Ann Seton. The remains ofElizabeth Bayley Seton repose permanentlyin the Basilica of the National Shrine ofSaint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg.During her lifetime, Saint Elizabeth Annsaw the beginning of the fulfillment ofSamuel Cooper’s dream—having sent Sistersto Philadelphia (1814) and New York (1817)to care for orphans and educate children.Today her legacy includes the Sisters ofCharity Federation of North Americawhose member congregations of Sisters,Associates, and collaborators serve peopleliving in poverty through varied ministries.Pope John XXIII, referred to Mother Setonas “the flower of sanctity which the UnitedStates of America offers to the world” ather beatification, March 17, 1963. Pope PaulVI issued the decree December 12, 1974,authorizing her canonization and proclaimedher Saint Elizabeth Ann, the first nativeborncanonized saint of the United States.Thousands witnessed the canonizationMass celebrated in St. Peter’s Square,Rome, September 14th during the JubileeYear of 1975.Sister Betty Ann McNeil, D.C., VincentianScholar-in-Residence, DePaul University,Chicago, IL

Prayers for Your PilgrimageWe have provided the following prayers that pilgrims to The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton may finduseful. Some of them were written by Mother Seton herself, and some are personalizations she made of traditional prayersshe loved. Other prayers included here are from the treasury of the Church and from Scripture. We’ve also included a Novenato Mother Seton.How to Gain an Indulgence During Your VisitWhy Indulgences? Every sin a Christiancommits does two things: it harms or insome cases destroys our relationship withGod; and it attaches us more deeply to sin.While the Sacrament of Reconciliationheals the first of these wounds, it doesnot completely heal us of the secondconsequence. This disordered attachment,much like an addiction, makes oneinordinately attracted to an actionor habit of sin that is detrimental.Another term for the attachment to sin is“the temporal punishment due to sin,” whichis strange in that it is not really a punishment,but rather a consequence of sin. Since wemay not enter heaven with this disorderedattachment to sin, we need penance to purifyus from them. This penance can occur eitheron earth or in purgatory.This is where indulgences come in. TheChurch has been made the steward of atreasury of spiritual goods that come fromthe merits of Christ and the Saints. It candispense from this treasury for the removalof these temporal punishments—ourdebt for our sinfulness. An indulgence isa dispensation by the Church from thistreasury. The indulgence may be applied tothe penitent’s own soul or applied to a soulin purgatory. While a partial indulgenceremoves some, but not all of one’s attachmentto sin, a plenary indulgence removes alltemporal punishment for one’s sins.Typically there are several requirementsthat must be met in order to gain theindulgence. In this case they are these:1.) Be truly penitent for your sins2.) Within eight days of your visit tothe Shrine, receive the Sacramentof Reconciliation and the Eucharist3.) Pray for the intentions of theHoly Father4.) In the Basilica, participate in a sacredcelebration, or remain for a congruousperiod of time in prayer and piousmeditation, concluding with:a. The Our Fatherb. The Profession of Faithc. Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Maryand, if possible, to the Holy Apostlesand Patron Saints.Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Versionof the MemorareRemember, O most pious Virgin Mary, thatno one ever had recourse to you, imploredyour help, or sought your mediation withoutobtaining relief. Confiding then on yourgoodness and mercy, I cast myself at yoursacred feet, and do most humbly supplicateyou, O Mother of the Eternal Word, to adoptme as your child and take upon yourself thecare of my eternal Salvation. O let it not besaid, my dearest Mother, that I have perishedwhere no one ever found but grace andEternal Salvation. Love me, my Mother.St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Versionof the Anima ChristiSoul of Jesus, sanctify me.Blood of Jesus, wash me.Passion of Jesus, comfort me.Wounds of Jesus, hide me.Heart of Jesus, receive me.Spirit of Jesus, enliven me.Goodness of Jesus, pardon me.Beauty of Jesus, draw me.Humility of Jesus, humble me.Peace of Jesus, pacify me.Love of Jesus, inflame me.Kingdom of Jesus, come to me.Grace of Jesus, replenish me.Mercy of Jesus, pity me.Sanctity of Jesus, sanctify me.Purity of Jesus, purify me.Cross of Jesus, support me.Nails of Jesus, hold me.Mouth of Jesus, bless me.Amen.A Prayer for Mercy by Mother SetonLord Jesus Christ, who was born for us in astable, lived for us a life of pain and sorrow,and died for us upon a cross, say to God inthe hour of death: “Father, forgive,” and toyour Mother, “Behold your child,” and say tous, “This day you will be with me in paradise.”Dear Savior, leave us not; forsake us not. Wethirst for You, the fountain of living water.Our days pass quickly along; soon all will beconsummated. To your hands we commendour spirit, now and forever. Amen.A Prayer of Devotion to “The Will”by Mother SetonO Father, the first rule of our dear Savior’slife was to do your holy will. Let His will ofthe present moment be the first rule of ourdaily life and work, with no other desire butits full and complete accomplishment, sothat doing what You wish, we may remaincompletely faithful to you. Amen.Novena Prayer to Mother Setonby Rev. Robert Stone, C.M.O God, You hear our prayers and listen tothe prayers the Saints make on our behalf.We turn to Saint Elizabeth Ann Setonand humbly ask her to bring to you theseintentions we now make.[Pause for intentions.]God of all consolation, You know our needs;to our weakness you are no stranger.We who are afflicted and poor trust inyour mercy and love.St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.Amen.Over »

The Pontifical Council for Promoting the Yearof Faith has Designated the Nicene Creedas the Prayer of the Year of FaithI believe in one God, the Father almighty,maker of heaven and earth, of all thingsvisible and invisible.I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the OnlyBegotten Son of God, born of the Fatherbefore all ages. God from God, Light fromLight, true God from true God, begotten,not made, consubstantial with the Father;through him all things were made.For us men and for our salvation he camedown from heaven, and by the Holy Spiritwas incarnate of the Virgin Mary, andbecame man.For our sake he was crucified under PontiusPilate, he suffered death and was buried, androse again on the third day in accordance withthe Scriptures. He ascended into heaven andis seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge theliving and the dead and his kingdom willhave no end.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, thegiver of life, who proceeds from the Fatherand the Son, who with the Father and theSon is adored and glorified, who has spokenthrough the prophets.I believe in one, holy, catholic, andapostolic Church.I confess one Baptism for the forgivenessof sins and I look forward to theresurrection of the dead and the lifeof the world to come.Amen.Prayer for the Year of Faithby the US Conference of Catholic BishopsO God our Father, in Jesus you call allChristian families and homes to be signsof living faith.By the light of the Holy Spirit, lead us tobe thankful for the gift of faith, and bythat gift may we grow in our relationshipwith Jesus, your Son, and be confidentwitnesses to Christian hope and joy toall we meet.In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.Blessing of the ScripsV. The Lord be with you.R. And with your spirit.Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, whoin unspeakable mercy came down fromHeaven to seek the sheep that were lost bythe deceit of the devil, and to carry themback on your shoulders to the flock of theHeavenly Country; and did commend thesons of Holy Mother Church by prayerto ask, by holy living to seek, and bypersevering to knock that they may morespeedily find the reward of salvation; wehumbly call upon you. Be pleased to blessthese scrips that whosoever for the loveof your name shall desire to wear it onpilgrimage to seek the aid of the Saintswith the accompaniment of humble prayer,being protected by the guardianship ofyour right hand may be found fit to begranted the joy of eternal life throughyou, O Savior of the world, who lives andreigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Godfor ever and ever. Amen.Here let the scrips be sprinkled withHoly Water and given to each pilgrimby the Priest.In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christreceive this scrip, that you may in safetyreach the shrine to which you travel andthere find nourishment for your earthlypilgrimage; and after the accomplishmentof your journey return to us in health andjoy. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.The ancient Jesus Prayer was developedby the Desert Fathers of the 3rd and 4thcenturies from the often repeated prayer of thePsalms, “Kyrie eleison” or “Lord, have mercyon me.” It is also derived from the Gospels,particularly from the prayer of the blind manin Luke 18:38–39.The spiritual classic The Way of the Pilgrimtells the story of a man whose entire life wastransformed by continual mental repetition ofthis simple prayer.The Jesus PrayerLord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercyon me, a sinner.Psalm 130Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord!Lord, hear my voice!Let thy ears be attentive to the voiceof my supplications!If thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities,Lord, who could stand?But there is forgivenesswith thee, that thou mayest be feared.I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and inhis word I hope; my soul waits for the Lordmore than watchmen for the morning, morethan watchmen for the morning.O Israel, hope in the Lord!For with the Lord there is steadfast love,and with him is plenteous redemption.And he will redeem Israel from allhis iniquities.Psalms 119–132 were chanted by Hebrewpilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem

Create a ReminderCreate a Reminder of Your JourneyMedieval pilgrims wore a “scrip”—anemblem that let others know that theywere on a pilgrimage. The form of thisemblem varied according to the pilgrimage’sdestination. A cross of palms signifiedJerusalem; a seashell Compostela; a keywould mean Rome. For your pilgrimageto The National Shrine of Saint ElizabethAnn Seton, your group might wish to adopta scrip of its own. Though in medieval timesthe scrip helped guarantee safe passage andhospitality for the pilgrim, today your scripwill serve as a constant reminder of thepurpose of your journey.Prayer of course is an essential part of apilgrimage, but don’t let your destinationbe the only place where it happens. It’simportant to begin your journey, whetherlong or short, with a prayer and a blessing ofthe pilgrims. This would also be a good timefor a blessing of your scrips, a prayer forwhich is included in this packet. Along theway, medieval pilgrimage groups sometimessang hymns while they walked. Thoughyour group is not likely to be traveling onfoot, singing hymns while you travel bycar or bus is an excellent way to keep yourgroup’s focus on the spiritual nature of yourjourney. While you are at the Shrine, be surethat there is time in your group’s day forboth public and private devotions.Some medieval pilgrimages were made aspenances; however, even those that werenot had a penitential flavor to them. Thejourney was usually difficult and lackedcomforts. This was an expected and evendesirable part of a pilgrimage. Why?Because a chief purpose of a pilgrimage wasspiritual growth. And it was understood thatfor spiritual growth to happen, repentanceis needed. “All have sinned and fall shortof the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). It wouldbe well then for modern pilgrims also toincorporate a penitential aspect in theirpilgrimages. Including the Sacrament ofReconciliation in the day’s activities is oneway to do this. Also, since even moderntravel has its share of inconveniences,pilgrims can be encouraged to offer up anydifficulties on their journey for their ownand their loved ones’ interior conversion.We hope this information will help youplan a prayerful time of renewal for yourgroup, and we look forward to welcomingyou to the Shrine of the first native-bornAmerican Saint.

Sample ItinerariesWeekday Itinerary with Scheduled Mass10:00 Self-guided tour of museum, gift shop, film, etc.11:00 Guided tour of grounds12:00 Lunch (spiritual reading)Free time for private devotions1:30 MassRegularly scheduled Masses at the Shrine are Wednesday,Thursday, Friday, and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.2:15 ReconciliationDepartureSaturday Itinerary with Private Mass10:00 Self-guided tour of museum, etc.11:00 Guided tour of grounds12:00 Lunch (spiritual reading)1:00 ReconciliationFree time for private devotions2:00 Mass (with your priest)DepartureSunday Itinerary with Scheduled Mass10:00 Tour of grounds11:30 LunchFree time for private devotions1:30 Mass2:15 Adoration3:00 Benediction3:15 Tour of museum4:30 DepartureItinerary with Visit to Grotto of Lourdes10:00 Tour of grounds11:30 Lunch12:15 Tour of museum, etc.1:30 Mass (offered Wednesday, Thursday,Friday and Sunday)2:15 Departure for Grotto

Pilgrimage During the Year of FaithYour Visit During the Year of FaithPope emeritus Benedict XVI has decreedthat the Church will observe a Year ofFaith between October 11, 2012 andNovember 24, 2013. This is a timefor Catholics throughout the world torediscover and share with others theprecious gift of Faith entrusted to theChurch, as well as the personal gift offaith that each has received by God’s grace.As part of the observance of the Year ofFaith in the Archdiocese of Baltimore,Archbishop William Lori designatedThe National Shrine of Saint ElizabethAnn Seton an official Year of Faithpilgrimage site. Because of this, visitorsto the Shrine are eligible to gain the greatspiritual gift of a plenary indulgence.According to the Catechism of theCatholic Church, an indulgence remits the“temporal punishment due to sins whoseguilt has already been forgiven.” Undercertain conditions, the Church is able todispense this remission from the treasuryof spiritual merits of Christ and the Saints.(CCC 1471)“I see faith as a gift of God to be diligentlysought and earnestly desired…”—Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

JoinAs WeRejuvenate, Renew, and Reignite our Spiritual Lives with aRetreat toThe National Shrine ofSaint Elizabeth Ann SetonLocated on the peaceful grounds whereMother Seton lived and labored.Pray at the Tomb of Mother SetonCelebrate Mass in the MagnificentMosaic-filled BasilicaTour the Spiritual Grounds and HistoricHomes Where Mother Seton LivedEnjoy Delicious Catered Mealsin Peaceful SurroundingsFor more information, contact