On Saturday, January 4, Catholics around the world honor the life and legacy of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on her feast day. This year, the celebration is especially poignant as we prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of her canonization.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton holds a special place in the heart of the Archdiocese of New York, and we are blessed to call her one of our own.

At the Shrine to Mother Seton in Lower Manhattan where she lived, we spoke with Sr. Gianna Maria of the Sisters of Life, who shared her thoughts on why St. Elizabeth Ann Seton remains a beacon of hope and inspiration.

This story is the first in a series on the “Saints of New York” that will be published throughout the year as we celebrate the ones that were born here, worked here, or have a special link to the archdiocese.