EMMITSBURG, MD, March 14, 2007: The Daughters of Charity Emmitsburg Province announces plans for celebrating the Bicentennial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s arrival in Emmitsburg in July 1809; and unveils the logo, The Seton Legacy of Charity, which will graphically represent the beginning and continuation of her legacy.
St. Elizabeth Ann, the first native-born North American to be canonized, founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s near Emmitsburg based on a modified rule of the Daughters of Charity founded by Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac at Paris in 1633. Her legacy left six religious communities with more than 5,000 members, hundreds of schools, social service centers, and hospitals throughout America and around the world.

The overall design of the Bicentennial logo reflects simplicity which Vincent de Paul stated “The Spirit of your Company consists of three things: to love Our Lord and serve Him in a spirit of humility and simplicity. As long as charity, humility, and simplicity exist amongst you, one may say: “The Company of Charity is still alive,” Sister Betty Ann McNeil, D.C. and archivist, explained.

The embedded cross in Seton symbolizes St. Elizabeth Ann’s baptism as a Christian: “Will not Jesus Christ be with me? Was I not signed with the cross of salvation in Baptism?” and her faith which she described as “the thirst and longing of my soul is fixed on the cross alone.”  The blue ink of the lettering symbolizes St. Elizabeth Ann’s devotion to Mary, Mother of God, and the blue-grey hue of the Daughters of Charity traditional dress.

The logo symbols of mountains and valley represent St. Joseph’s Valley is situated at the base of Catoctin Mountain, the easternmost spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are in turn a part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Elizabeth frequently referred to the peace of her valley home and the beauty of the mountain which she loved and referred to as St. Mary’s Mountain. The tan ink reflects natural earth tones.

The logo symbol of a sapling represents the Sisters of Charity that St. Elizabeth Ann founded to educate young children in the faith and to care for the sick and poor of her day. According to Sister Betty Ann, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was familiar with sacred scripture and alluded to her establishment as a “little mustard seed” which spreads its branches well (Cf. Matthew 13). The green ink reflects dynamism and growth for the sapling, her foundation.

The “little mustard seed” was first planted July 31, 1809 in the valley of the mountains but it grew, spread, and prospers still through members of the Sisters of Charity Federation, the Daughters of Charity, and many of her other successors.

The bicentennial year is set to begin January 4, 2009, St. Elizabeth Ann’s feast day. Planned events such as the recreation of St. Elizabeth Ann’s journey from Baltimore to Emmitsburg, Maryland (approximately 57 miles) will be held throughout the year.

Contact: Lori Stewart
Phone: (301) 447-7165
Email: lstewart@doc.org