This fictional letter is inspired by the life, thought and charism of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who was a pioneer in Catholic education in the United States and the first American-born saint. Her example of faith, sacrifice and love for those most in need remains an inspiration to members of the Vincentian Family today. The 2024 convocation in Rome is an opportunity to renew this commitment in a context of synodality and fraternity.

Can you imagine what St. Elizabeth Ann Seton would say to us if she were to write a letter to the members of the Vincentian Family today? This is just a literary exercise, but perhaps it could be something like this:

To my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, members of the Vincentian Family,

With deep love and gratitude, I address you from the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, moved by the desire to share a few words of encouragement, hope and communion in this special time. Although our days are centuries apart, I know that our hearts beat in unison for the same love and mission: to serve God through those most in need, bringing the comfort of his presence to those who suffer.

As a foundress of the Sisters of Charity and a woman converted by the grace of the Blessed Sacrament, my life was marked by trials, sacrifices and the profound joy of serving. As I recall those days, I see how providentially God works in every detail of our lives, and how, in the midst of suffering, He guides us to a greater purpose, uniting our lives to the cross of Christ and offering us the hope of His resurrection.

It is in this spirit that I invite you, with all the fervor of my soul, to participate in the next meeting of the Vincentian Family in Rome, November 14-17, 2024. It will be a moment of grace and renewal for all of us, a space to rediscover the richness of our charism, strengthen our bonds and renew our commitment to the values that unite us.

My own life was a journey full of challenges and blessings. Born in New York in 1774, my conversion to Catholicism in 1805 brought with it misunderstanding and rejection, but also an immense peace and joy that only God can grant. Along the way, I experienced the pain of loss, the loneliness of isolation and the difficulties of supporting my family after the death of my husband, William. However, in those times of trial, God did not fail to manifest His love and providence.

It was in those dark days that I discovered the incomparable value of the Eucharist, the real presence of Christ that nourishes and strengthens. The Blessed Sacrament became my comfort and guide, a beacon that illuminated my steps toward a life consecrated to the service of the poor and the education of children. Like you, I was called to serve, to be an instrument of God’s mercy in a world so in need of his love.

This upcoming meeting in Rome will be a unique opportunity to deepen our spirituality and to share the charism bequeathed to us by St. Vincent de Paul and all the saints who preceded us. In the simplicity and humility of our vocation, each of you represents a continuation of that legacy, a spark of God’s love that must shine in every corner of the world.

I imagine with great hope what it will be like to gather in that city full of history and faith, the cradle of Christianity. Rome is not only a physical destination; it is a place of pilgrimage of the heart, a constant reminder that we are part of a living and universal Church. This meeting will not only allow us to strengthen our fraternal bonds, but also to renew our commitment to live the Gospel in each of our apostolates.

In my life, I have discovered that holiness is not a state reserved for a few, but a call open to all of us. It is in the everyday, in the small, in humble service that we find God and where He finds us. In educating children, in consoling the sick, in accompanying the poor, we make Christ present in the world.

Always remember that, like me, each of you has been called not only to faith, but to action. As a community, we must continue to reach out to those most in need, bringing them not only material bread, but also the bread of hope and the love of God. Every gesture, every word and every deed of charity is a seed that we plant in the vast field of the Kingdom of God.

My dear brothers and sisters, I know that each of you faces your own challenges. I know that there are times of weariness, doubts and trials. But I want to remind you that God never abandons us. In my life, I have experienced the pain of loneliness and rejection, but I have always found in prayer and the Eucharist the strength to go on.

Never underestimate the power of a life given in love. Your sacrifices, your renunciations and your silent service do not go unnoticed in the eyes of God. The grace to persevere in the mission entrusted to us is a gift that He gives us day by day, and it is in fraternal communion that we find the encouragement and support to go forward.

I invite you to make this meeting in Rome a time of grace and renewal. Let us go with open hearts, ready to listen to the voice of God and to allow ourselves to be transformed by his love. May these days be a reflection of the communion and unity that we so badly need in today’s world, and may they spur us on to move forward with renewed missionary zeal.

Always remember that we are not alone in this journey. We are one family, united by the same spirit and the same charism. May our life be a witness to the mercy and hope of Christ, a living reflection of his love in every corner of the world.

I embrace you with a mother’s love and entrust you to the protection of our Blessed Mother Mary. May she, who always knew how to keep and meditate everything in her heart, guide us on our way and teach us to live with humility and fidelity the mission entrusted to us.

With all my love in Christ,

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

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