(Editor's Note: This is the second of a three-part series on Mother Elizabeth Seton, the first American-born saint. They are written by Sister Ellen Eisenberger of the Daughters of Charity. Sr. Ellen teaches first grade at St. Mary's School in Rome, GA.)

In 1791, Elizabeth Ann met William Magee Seton, the son of a shipping merchant. At 20, Elizabeth married William Seton. The young Seton and his new bride were much in social demand; they even attended the inaugural ball of George Washington. They were acknowledged leaders of New York society.

Elizabeth writes: "My own home at 20 -- the world, that and heaven too -- quite impossible!" Anna Maria, fondly called "Annina," was born May 3, 1795. A year-and-a-half later, on November 24, William Seton III was born. Their happiness was complete! Their skies all sunshine!

Now the first clouds came onto the horizons. In 1798, her father-in-law died, and her young husband, as eldest son, had to assume control of his father's business. He was also made responsible for his seven half-brothers and sisters ranging in age from eight to 18. The young couple left their home to take up residence in the Seton home. Elizabeth took care of the household and the education of the children.

Three more children were born to Elizabeth and William: Richard, Catherine and Rebecca. The last little girl was named after Elizabeth's sister-in-law and close friend Rebecca Seton. Together, they seized every opportunity to assist the needy and so marked was their personal service that their neighbors called them the Protestant Sisters of Charity. She was fast becoming the strong woman of the Scriptures. God, seeing her remarkable correspondence with His grace, sent her still heavier crosses. Her husband's business failed and he was forced to file a petition of bankruptcy. At the same time, she watched him fight a failing battle with tuberculosis.

In 1801, her father died of yellow fever contracted from poor Irish immigrants whom he was tending on their arrival in New York. Elizabeth nursed him during his illness, which lasted a week. God gave her some consolation in this cross, for her father died with a prayer on his lips.

To save the remnants of his health, William and Elizabeth decided on a "change of air" and a visit to business friends, the Filicchi brothers, Antonio and Filippo, at Leghorn, Italy. Eight-year-old Annina accompanied them. William's health seemed to improve during the seven-week sea voyage, but news of the yellow fever epidemic in America had preceded them. When they arrived in Leghorn, they were quarantined for a month in the dark Lazaretto in the harbor. William survived that ordeal, but died 10 days later, and was buried at Leghorn. A widow among stranger, Elizabeth had reached the lowest ebb of her young life.

The Filicchi family opened their hearts and home to Elizabeth and Annina. For the first time, Elizabeth was exposed to the Catholic Church. She found the Filicchi's deep faith to be one which corresponded perfectly to her soul's needs. While her ship was being fitted for the voyage home, Elizabeth spent the time visiting the churches of Florence.

In the next 4 years, Elizabeth examined the Catholic faith thoroughly, her conscience in turmoil. She consulted her longtime friend and spiritual director, the Rev. Henry Hobart, curate at Trinity Church, who berated her for thinking of leaving the church of her baptism. The closer Elizabeth was drawn to Catholicism, the further her family and friends withdrew. It became increasingly difficult to support herself and her children. Most disheartening were her efforts to establish a school. Despite her excellent qualifications, her leanings toward the Catholic Church repulsed the families she tried to serve, and they withdrew their children. Her final decision to enter the Catholic Church brought total alienation from all but her dearest friends. But Baltimore opened its arms when Elizabeth accepted the invitation of Archbishop John Carroll to establish a girls' school there.

(To be continued)