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Elizabeth Ann Seton Beatified

Various Christian Brothers attend the beatification ceremony in Rome of Elizabeth Ann Seton on March 17, 1963.

Pope John XXIII proclaimed her “Blessed” (one step from sainthood) on a Sunday morning. Later that afternoon, Cardinal Spellman of NY translated the Pope’s “rousing” talk into English. Many Sisters of Charity visited the Brothers’ generalate (headquarters) in Rome, especially those with Christian Brother relatives or who had Lasallian ministry connections.

With so many Sisters of Charity in attendance, “St. Peter’s was like a teachers’ institute in Brooklyn or Boston…it sure was good to hear ‘American’ spoken…” This is a photo of the painting of Blessed Elizabeth Seton which was displayed at St. Peter’s Square during the ceremony.

Newsbriefs of Baltimore, March 1963, p. 2. Newsletter of LI-NE, April 1963, p. 5. FSC, June 1963, p. 1. Archivist’s Note: Blessed Elizabeth Seton was canonized a saint in September 1975.