From Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, "Collected Writings: Volumes 1, 2, and 3a” (2000). Vincentian Digital Books. https://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/9 https://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/11 https://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/12

1. SelectedWritingsof
St.ElizabethAnnSeton
On theBlessedVirginMary

2. A picture of the descent from the Cross
nearly as large as life engaged my whole
soul. Mary at the foot of it expressed well
that the iron had entered into her-and the
shades of death over her agonized
countenance so strongly contrasted the
heavenly Peace of the dear Redeemer’s
that it seems as if his pains had fallen on
her - How hard it was to leave that picture
and how often even in the few hours
interval since I have seen it, I shut my eyes
and recall it in imagination.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Collected
Writings (CW) 1:287
Descent from the Cross by Jacopo Pontormo, c. 1528

3. I am a Mother so the Mothers thought
came also how was my GOD a little babe in
the first stage of his mortal existance in
Mary, but I lost these thoughts in my
babes at home, which I daily long for more
and more…
CW 1:291
The Pregnant Virgin from Németújvár, artist unknown

4. Anna coaxes me when we are at our evening
prayers to say Hail Mary and all say oh do Ma
teach it to us, even little Bec tries to lisp it
though she can scarcely speak; and I ask my
Saviour why should we not say it, if anyone is in
heaven his Mother must be there, are the
Angels then, who are so often represented as
being so interested for us on earth, more
compassionate or more exalted than she is---
oh no no, Mary our Mother that cannot be, so I
beg her with the confidence and tenderness of
her child to pity us, and guide us to the true
faith if we are not in it, and if we are, to obtain
peace for my poor Soul, that I may be a good
Mother to my poor darlings- for I know if God
should leave me to myself after all my sins he
would be justified, and since I read these books
my head is quite bewildered about the few that
are saved, so I kiss her picture you gave me,
and beg her to be a Mother to us.
CW 1:369

5. I think I can form some idea of what death must be
to one in full possession of their faculties […] the
beautiful serenity of last night at nine o'clock, when
I was alone with you enjoying the brightest moon,
and clearest sky that can be imagined, was
suddenly darkened over the whole mountain, which
overhung with black threatening clouds and quick
darts of lightning, looked too awful […] dropping
asleep with my crucifix under my pillow and the
blessed Virgin’s picture pressed on the heart, Kit
and Rebecca fast asleep near me […] what a
moment-I had no power to rise or to remember I
was a sinner or give a thought to the horrors of
Death or the safety of the children-God my Father
in that moment so pressing and the plunge in
Eternity the next instant. O my Mary, how tight I
held my little picture as a mark of confidence in
her prayers, who must be tenderly interested for
Souls so dearly purchased by her Son and the
crucifix held up as a silent prayer which offers all
his merits and sufferings as our only hope-
CW 2:675-676

6. Purification [February 2]-At the feet of our sweet
happy Mother Mary listening to dear old Simeon
doting on the darling babe- offering the precious
sufferer in my arms when he entered our chamber,*
and oh to hold them both up to the Eternal Father-
the child offering the mother-the mother, the child-
the sweet half hour of love and peace with Jesus
between us, as she sits on her bed of pain, and I
kneel beside her, cov'ring her when she laid down
and giving her the usual cross on the forehead, she
s[ai]d with the most endearing smile. "Yet a little
while you see me, again a little while you shall not
see me, because I go to my father,”** then as if she
feared it was too much to use such sacred words
added, "so says my dear Lord."
From Elizabeth Seton's Journal of Annina's Last
Illness and Death, January-March, 1812
*Cf. Luke 2:22·35. The Blessed Sacrament was
brought for Annina's Communion.
**John 16:16
Saint Simeon Holding the Christ Child, Domenico Fetti, c. 1621

7. The blessing announced to the highly
favoured Mary diffused its gracious
influence on all the World it is to us, to our
children, to all that are afar off, as well as
to those that are nigh. There is no
regenerated Soul, in which thou, 0 Saviour,
art not formed again.
CW 3a:84
Annunciation by Fra Angelico, 1437-46

8. We consider that the most bloody
Sacrifices are not always the painful- those
of the Body are not the hardest to sustain
but those which have their seat in the
heart which becomes their Victim- Mary is
justly called by the church the Queen of
Martyrs because her martyrdom [is] in
her heart which carried the piercing
Sword from the moment Simeon revealed
to her in the temple the Mystery of the
Salvation and reprobation of the world…
CW 3a:205
Presentation in the Temple by Rembrandt (detail)

9. She hears his last sorrowful words- the Sad
exchange "behold thy Son,”* -Sees him covered
with the Shades of death, his head hanging, his
eyes closed the last drop of his blood shed-
and oh Sorrow of Sorrows shed for so many
thousand millions who will not be saved, who
will be eternally reprobated for the abuse of
those graces procured by her divine Son in
these agonies of his passion and Death and his
thirst** of anguish for their Souls. Our
Mother-let us remain with you at the foot of
the cross, and at least share your Sorrows let
the wounds and death of our Jesus at least
obtain for us true contrition of heart after
Sharing so much in the cause of them-
CW 3a:206
*John 19:26
**Cf. John 19:28
The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John by Hendrick ter Brugghen

10. We go with our blessed Mother to the
Sepulchre Joseph of Arimathia and
Nicodemus had wrapped in spices and fine
linen the adorable Body of Jesus* - that
body she had wrapt so often in his infancy
in its swathing clothes and held delighted
in her bosom is now wrapt up for the
tomb- She takes the last look, he is placed
within it, the door is closed, She must see
him no more- her head rests upon his
Sepulchre, her face fastened on it, it is wet
with her tears-She repeats the name of
her Jesus, but answers no more-
CW 3a:207
*Luke 23:50-56
Pietà by Jean Fouquet, c.1465

11. Mary My Mother My soul clings with yours
to that cross stained with the blood of my
Jesus- it was I who fastened him to it, I
who caused his death- with you then I
embrace and adore it, and with a humble
contrite heart* I unite my tears and Sighs
with yours- obtain for me truly to love and
adore this cross and bear with Submission
and love whatever portion of it may be
sent me that my sufferings with yours and
the Merits of your Son my Divine
redeemer may expiate my Sins, obtain my
final Pardon.
CW 3a:207-208
*Cf. Ps. 51:17.
Deposition of Christ by Pietro Francesco Sacchi and studio, 1527

12. …in [St. John the apostle] she has now
adopted the redeemed Souls of her Jesus.
0 Mother of tenderest mercy mine also
you have adopted in him- I cast myself with
confidence in your arms- you are also My
Mother - I your child left to you by your
Jesus unworthy as I am- you are the
refuge of sinners, to the bosom of your
Mercy I commit myself in his merits you
will not reject the child of his tears and
blood
CW 3a:208
Descente de croix by Regnault

13. Jesus has tasted death, his Blessed Mother must
follow his footsteps, her eyes too must close her
tongue be silenced, her ears closed to the voice
of surrounding friends- her limbs composed in
motionless stillness, her heart stopped and its
last breathings expire, a scene of death as we call
it- but a scene of bliss to beholding Angels, a
changing of worlds, a passage from earth to
Heaven- a passage how sweet for Mary, a change
how admirable, a departure how joyful, how easy
an Entrance, how triumphant into that world,
which alone could offer her a Mansion worthy of
her full grace and inconceivable dignity- Heaven
for the Mother of God, how suitable a place, and,
oh! how beautiful is death when contemplated in
Mary- yet how inexorable since even she must be
subjected to his iron rod, at least so far as to
acknowledge his entire dominion over the whole
family of Adam, the great lesson for our own
death. which to each one of us may be so near, is
sweetned by union with the death of our Blessed
Mother- O Jesus, Mary and Joseph protect us in
the hour of death assist us in our last agony
CW 3a:212
Death of the Virgin Mary by Antonio Merli (detail)

14. O Mary to Bethlehem I fly, bring my Jesus
there- hide me O Joseph, O Mary with you-
for "every one that shall be found shall be
slain" the wrath so fierce, fury and
indignation -a cruel day- O be most
attentive my soul- […] O sweet Infant
could I ever be found of thy adversaries,
how do I love thee and intreat I may love
more and better serve- oh do pity-
CW 3a:338-339
Nativity - The Birth of Christ by Martin Schongauer, c. 1480

15. O Mary be to us indeed a Mother, pity the
fears and sorrows of your children in our
state of long uncertainty and danger show
yourself a Mother to us in the hour of our
death —
CW 3a:213
The Virgin in Prayer by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato

16. Source
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, "Collected Writings: Volumes 1, 2, and 3a” (2000).
Vincentian Digital Books.
https://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/9
https://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/11
https://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/12
Images: Wikimedia Commons, Depaul Image Archive