Schools

The Swiss Army Knife of saints

Ashleigh Buyers | Catholic Herald

Fr. Carroll L. Oubre, parochial vicar at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, prays with students during the installation of a first-class relic of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Holy Spirit School’s chapel Feb. 3. Courtesy Elizabeth Menapace

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What better way to bring National Catholic Schools Week to a close than a visit from the patron saint herself? A first-class relic of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was presented to Holy Spirit School in Annandale after their Catholic Schools Week Mass on the feast of St. Blaise, Feb. 3. 

Father Carroll L. Oubre, parochial vicar, led a procession to the relic’s new home in the school chapel where it will be on permanent display. He explained to the students that “Mother Seton” was the “Swiss army knife of Catholic saints” since she has so many titles they can invoke, such as convert to the faith, wife, mom, widow and teacher.

“As the first U.S. citizen born on American soil canonized, we can pray to her for our country and as secondary patron of our diocese,” said Father Oubre. “And of all the saints, she’s the one who lived the closest to us in Maryland.”

Principal Maureen Ashby, with the Holy Spirit faculty and staff, were excited to welcome the saint into the school.

“It is a beautiful gift to the school and very fitting for the last day of Catholic Schools Week,” said Ashby. “For me personally, it is beyond thrilling.”

Ashby has worked in Catholic education for the past 20 years and is happy to have St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as her patron. She remembers choosing the saint because Ashby’s birthday was the same day as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s feast day, Jan. 4. She never expected that one day she would follow the saint’s career path and gives credit to Mother Seton for bringing her back to school. 

She hopes that having the relic in Holy Spirit School will remind the students to look to Mother Seton as a role model as they continue in their Catholic education. 

 

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