In 1803, Elizabeth Ann Seton sailed to Italy with her husband William, hoping that the warm climate would cure William’s ill-health.
Upon the Setons’ arrival in Pisa, they were quarantined in a damp, cold building for nearly a month. William’s strength quickly deteriorated and he passed away just two weeks after his release from quarantine.
A Catholic couple, Antonio and Amabilia Filicchi, took the distraught widow into their home. They cared for her until she was ready to return to the United States.
An early portrait of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
In the meantime, they introduced the devout Episcopalian to their Faith.
Elizabeth was drawn to the Catholic Church and asked the Filicchis many questions. She fell in love with the Blessed Mother.
Antonio accompanied Elizabeth when she returned to the United States, catechizing and supporting her as she faced anti-Catholic hostility from her family. A year later, she entered the Catholic Church.
Afterwards she wrote to Amabilia, describing the moment of her entrance into the Faith: “How [awe-inspiring] those words of unloosing, after thirty years of bondage! I felt as if my chains fell, as those of Saint Peter at the touch of the divine messenger.”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton heard Our Lord’s call to His Church and answered Him with a humble and faithful “yes.” We are all called to continuously give Our Lord that very same yes. Remind yourself to open your heart to the Lord and to continue to give Him your humble yes with this beautiful Dark Blue Fiat Tumbler! Bring yours home today from The Catholic Company and transform your morning coffee into a moment of conversion and prayer.
