Earlier this year, I was invited to join the Sisters of Charity Federation Board for their meeting in Cincinnati. In addition to sharing updates on our ministry at the United Nations, I was also blessed to join them in prayer.

Before the meetings concluded, we were invited to pray to our congregation’s Founder or Foundress. I took this opportunity to pray to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, inspired by the strong Setonian roots of the Sisters in Cincinnati and the Leaders present. 

I would like to share my prayer with you. I invite you to ponder along with me some of the questions I raise to Mother Seton, and as you consider her answer, join me in wondering how this impacts us now as a Federation at this point in our human history.

What might the Holy Spirit be calling us to do and to be?

Here is my prayerful letter to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.

James R. Walters, Ed.D., Sisters of Charity Federation NGO Representative at the United Nations

Dear Mother Seton,

I wonder what you thought of America when you were alive, and in leadership. I wonder how you felt about our leaders then when you saw such poverty and injustice. We know, by your example and legacy, you saw gaps and brought together others to fill them, especially around the education of children and those living in poverty.

I wonder what you would think of America today, and I guess more importantly, what you would do. How would you engage not just with the local community, but also with the world? How would you use technology to unite, to educate, to form, and to love? How would you be in relationship with the powerful, those who divide us, those who hate.

I wonder what you would say if you spoke to the UN General Assembly? How would you challenge them? Would their hearts be moved? Would the realities of those in poverty begin to change? I wonder, and struggle at times, how I can do this as well as you would.

I find a glimpse of the answers to these questions in those who I spent the last few days with, who live and shine your legacy and charism. I see such resilience, passion, faith. How I hope to be like them, to be like you.

I am so grateful to be among them, and too, I pray, have an impact as they do and as you did. In a time that is so dark, thank you for this light.

I am not sure how much time I will have on this earth, and I certainly pray it is longer than what the odds indicate, but no matter the answer, may this time be used well to leave this world a little better than we find it today. May others, by this ministry, have their human rights and human dignity upheld, and know of God’s unconditional love for them.

Finally, please pray for me and for us, especially those we serve and love.