​August 4 is the feast day of St. John Vianney, a much-loved saint in the Church, a dedicated shepherd to his flock, and the patron saint of parish priests. In our community, the feast day is a reminder to renew our efforts and intention to pray for our priests, starting in our diocese, and extending to the universal Church. Each morning, we begin our holy hour with the invocation: “O Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us, obtain for us many and holy priests.” We offer adoration and reparation in a special way for priests and vocations to the priesthood.  Without the priest, there is no Mass, no Eucharist, no Confession. Through the priest, Christ is present to his Church on earth. Yet, the priest is fallible, much like ourselves, and in need of prayer. 

​But above all I commend to Thee the priests dearest to me; the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted, and who gave me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me, or helped and encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, particularly N. O Jesus, keep them all close to Thy Heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.

Elizabeth had a happy marriage to the successful businessman, William Seton, and they were blessed with five children. Trials struck when William's business went bankrupt, and he became very ill. Elizabeth took him and their eldest daughter to Italy in hopes that he would recover. The trip was filled with great hardships, setbacks, and the tremendous sorrow of William's death, but Elizabeth also spent considerable time staying with family friends who were devote Catholics and she became fascinated with Catholicism, especially with the Holy Eucharist. 

It is one of our greatest privileges as Marian Sisters to assist in preparing children for the Sacraments, particularly First Communion and Confirmation. As these precious souls receive the greatest treasures of the Church, all of us can rejoice! ​