Seton Painting #4
April 16, 2000

To truly appreciate the painting, and therefore Elizabeth Seton's story, one must come see the paintings in person. Each of the painting has Elizabeth's face as the center, changing as the story is told. Each contains some of Elizabeth's favorite saying in her own hand. Mr. Soper incorporated a single floating object in each montage. The paintings have been so successful that a local parish has commissioned him to develop similar paintings for their new school. The following is the explanation of the fourth painting:

"Foundress - Saint"
Mother Seton placed the young community under the patronage of St. Joseph. The work of Elizabeth and her Sisters grew steadily to include other schools as well as work among the poor, orphaned, sick and elderly. Tuberculosis, which caused the death of Elizabeth's beloved husband, continued to claim her loved ones. The death of her daughters, Anna and Rebecca, left her shattered, but with more students coming to learn, more women coming to join, she was unable to rest. From her window, as she worked, she gazed upon the graves of her daughter. The Eucharist remained Elizabeth's strength and the center of her devotion. During her final illness her bed was placed so she could see the Blessed Sacrament. She died of tuberculosis at the age of forty-seven on January 4, 1821. She was canonized a Saint of the Church on September 14, 1975. Our parish was established that same day.