Seton Shrine hosts annual pilgrimage, Mass for Sea Services

More than 300 gathered in Emmitsburg Oct. 6 as the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton hosted the annual Pilgrimage and Mass for the Sea Services.

Members and veterans of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and public health services gathered along with their families. At the Mass, they thanked St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for her protection and to ask for her continued intercession for all sea services personnel. 

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975, is the first American-born saint. The church recognizes St. Elizabeth, who was the mother of two seafarers, as the Patroness of the Sea Services.

Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde of the Diocese of Arlington, Va., celebrated the Mass, co-sponsored by the Archdiocese for U.S. Military Services. 

Four active-duty military chaplains also concelebrated: Fathers Eric J. Albertson, CH (Col.), U.S. Army; David J. Hammond, CHC, Lt. Cmdr., U.S. Navy; Donelson Thevenin, CHC, Lt. Cmdr., U.S. Navy; and Steven R. Walker, CHC, Lt. U.S. Navy. Erin M. Donlon, a seminarian and Navy chaplain candidate, served as deacon.

Bishop Loverde, who celebrated 36 years as a bishop earlier this year, oversaw the Diocese of Arlington from 1999 to 2006. The Arlington Diocese provided more chaplains to the Archdiocese for U.S. Military Services than any diocese in the country.

In his homily, Bishop Loverde spoke of St. Elizabeth’s “motherly concern and steadfast and faithful love for her sons, William and Richard, who served with the Navy at sea. It is this steadfast motherly love and faithful concern for her sons that makes her the patroness of those serving on the sea at this time,” he said.

“Bishop Loverde’s dedication and witness to those in uniform is especially timely given the uncertainty and danger we see around the world today,” said Rob Judge, executive director of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. “Mother Seton knew from the experiences of her two sons the perils faced by those who go to sea. But as a mother, she could take pride in those who devote their lives to the service of others. Her prayers bring these men and women and their families, the hope, solace and strength to complete their missions.”

In addition to attendance by many active duty and retired sea services personnel and their families, a large contingent of midshipmen from the Naval Academy Catholic Choir, led by director Monte Maxwell, provided music.

The Ceremonial Honor Guard, Military District of Washington presented the colors. Knights of Columbus served as ushers and provided a ceremonial escort for Bishop Loverde. U.S. Naval Sea Cadets assisted in welcoming guests. 

Attendees at the Mass also prayed for more Catholic priests to serve as chaplains. Catholic chaplains in the military numbered in the thousands during World War II. The Navy currently has fewer than 50 active Catholic priests to serve hundreds of thousands of Catholic sailors, Marines, Merchant Mariners, Coast Guard and public health service personnel.

As the Patroness of the Sea Services, St. Elizabeth had a deep connection with those who spend their lives at sea and those devoted to public health. Her son, William, served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Macedonian and several other ships. Another son, Richard, served on the U.S.S. Cyane and died off the coast of Africa while serving on that ship. Her father, Richard Bayley, was a prominent New York City physician in the 18th century and the city’s first chief health officer.

“Our seagoing men and women and their families have a special devotion to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and pray for her to intercede for their protection,” said retired Adm. William J. Fallon, chairman of the Pilgrimage Sponsoring Committee. “Like so many parents who send their children off to sea, she had a very personal understanding of what these men and women face, and she remains an inspiration, spiritual guide and a friend to all sea service personnel and their families.”

The late Cardinal John J. O’Connor of the Archdiocese of New York, together with the late Admiral James D. Watkins, advocated for Mother Seton’s designation as the Patroness of the Sea Services in 1975 when Cardinal O’Connor served as the Navy Chief of Chaplains and Watkins was Chief of Naval Operations.

The shrine celebrates both the spirituality of the first native-born American to be canonized and Mother Seton’s role as one of the most prominent Catholics of the early 19th century in the U.S. After her husband died and she converted to Catholicism, she moved to Emmitsburg where she founded one of the first Catholic schools for girls and the first U.S. congregation of religious sisters.

The story of her life and legacy is commemorated in a museum and visitors center that opened in 2023  at the Shrine. The museum is comprised of three core galleries that portray her life as a seeker, servant and saint, using rarely seen artifacts and interactive exhibits. The shrine will soon begin a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of Mother Seton’s canonization in September 2025.

More about the Sea Services Pilgrimage, including footage of the Mass, can be found here or by visiting setonshrine.org.

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