This year at the national meeting of The National Association of Shrine and Pilgrimage Apostolate held in November, Msgr. James P. Moroney, Exec. Dir. of the Secretariat for the Liturgy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, speaking again at the request of the directors, addressed some liturgical practices that should distinguish a shrine. Among them recitation of morning and evening prayer and providing opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We of the Seton Shrine are very fortunate in having Rev. Michael Kennedy, C.M. as our shrine chaplain. From Wednesday to Sunday, Father offers the Eucharist in the basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and following the Mass he is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many do avail themselves of this opportunity. I had one woman tell me she comes every first Friday for this sacrament. Her home is about one hour's drive each way, but driving the distance is worth it for her.

The Seton Way
    is published at the
    National Shrine of
    Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
    333 South Seton Avenue
    Emmitsburg, Maryland 
                        21727

E-Mail: office@setonshrine.org

Editorial Board:
    Sr. Eleanor Casey, D.C.
    Sr. Patricia Coughlin, D.C.
    Sr. Claire Angermaier,  D.C

Typing & Layout
    Sally S. Grandstaff 

Sea Services Pilgrimage
 to the Seton Shrine

Most Rev. Francis X. Roque, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese for the Military Services greeting Rev. Msgr. Hugh J. Phillips

At the Annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services on October 5, ADM James D. Watkins, USN (Ret.) and VADM Lando W. Zech, Jr., USN (Ret.) flank His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Ph.D., D.D., Archbishop of Washington who was the principal celebrant and homilist for this event. ADM Watkins and 13 of the 28-member co-sponsoring committee, along with their spouses, are in the photograph.

The Annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services is held on the first Sunday in October at 3:00 p.m. This year's event was very well attended. A sizeable group of Catholic War Veterans from Baltimore and surrounding areas was in attendance. The Naval Academy Catholic Choir sang beautifully, their renditions were received with great pleasure by all.

Happenings during the
Year of 1804

The year 1804 was one of journeys. Mother Seton was in Livorno, Italy when the new year dawned. She and Anna Marie were guests of the Fillichi family. On Sunday, January 8, the Setons went to church with Antonio and Amabilia Fillichi. Preparations for the return journey were begun, but Anna Marie developed scarlet fever the night before they were to sail. Elizabeth Seton was also ill Finally on April 8, the Setons, accompanied by Antonio Fillichi, sailed for New York aboard the Pyamingo. They arrived safely on June 4.

During the voyage, Elizabeth remembered what would have been William's 37th birthday on April 20. She wrote to her pastor, John Henry Hobart, about her continuing spiritual crisis. Before her departure, Fillipo Fillichi prepared an explanation of the Catholic faith for Elizabeth. When she showed it to Rev. Hobart, he prepared a rebuttal.

In the months of her absence Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were making their final plans for the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis was born 10 days before Mother Seton on August 18, 1774. The Corps of Discovery departed St. Louis for St. Charles MO on May 14. On May 17, after Mass and blessings, they departed for the West while the Setons were at sea.

In addition to her sorrow at the death of her husband, and her anguish over religion, Elizabeth lost her "soul sister" on July 8. She wrote, "This is my Rebecca's (her sister-in-law) birthday in heaven. No more watching now … no more agonizing sufferings…. The blessed angels … now teach your soul the songs of Zion.

Continued on page 3