Hundreds Fill National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton for Annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services

EMMITSBURG, MD — The Sisters and Daughters of Charity welcomed more than 300 visitors to the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on Sunday for its annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services. The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop-emeritus of Arlington, VA, was the principal celebrant and homilist for the 3:30 p.m. Mass, which was broadcast that night on EWTN.

In his homily, Bishop Loverde reflected on the Gospel reading of Mark 10:2-16 wherein Jesus tells his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” “You know whenever I see a parent holding a child in their arms,” Bishop Loverde preached, “or holding their little one's hand as they walk, I can't help but think of that childlike trust. I also think that’s how God holds us, the very same way. Childlike trust is neither sentimental nor superficial. It is REAL trust. REAL confidence. It is SOLID, and demands surrender.”

The retired prelate, who served as Bishop of Arlington from 1999 to 2016, noted Saint Elizabeth showed childlike trust when she converted from Episcopal to Catholic after her husband died of tuberculosis and she went on to found the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph’s, the first community for religious women established in the United States. “That same childlike trust must be ours,” he said, “as we seek to be faithful in loving God, who so loves us, and in loving those who God has given us and entrusted to us, to form, to befriend, to work with, to help.”

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975, is the first American-born saint. The Catholic Church recognizes Saint Elizabeth, herself the mother of two seafarers, as the Patroness of the Sea Services, which include the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and Public Health Service.

The Pilgrimage is co-sponsored on the first Sunday in October by a Committee of retired Naval and Marine Corps officers in partnership with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). “There's no better friend to Mother Seton than the Archdiocese for the Military Services and Archbishop Timothy Broglio,” said Mr. Rob Judge, Executive Director of the Seton Shrine. “We just greatly appreciate that partnership. This pilgrimage has been happening since a year or two after her canonization.” The purpose of the pilgrimage, he said, “is to come together and pray for the men and women who are serving on active duty in the sea services and we do it every year.” The Sponsoring Committee is chaired by retired Admiral and Mrs. William J. Fallon and co-chaired by retired U.S. Navy Captain and Mrs. Daniel D. Thompson.

The mid-afternoon Mass opened ceremoniously with Presentation of the Colors and singing of the National Anthem. The Knights of Columbus and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps served as ushers. Sister Mary Catherine Conway of the Daughters of Charity welcomed the pilgrims, whose ranks included active-duty and retired seafarers and their families.

Four active-duty military chaplains, all serving with AMS endorsement and faculties, concelebrated: Fathers Eric J. Albertson, CH (COL), USA; David J. Hammond, CHC, LCDR, USN; Donelson Thevenin, CHC, LCDR, USN; and Steven R. Walker, CHC, LT, USN. The Reverend Mr. Erin M. Donlon, a seminarian and Navy chaplain candidate, served as Deacon. A group of Catholic midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy provided sacred music under the direction of Mr. Monte Maxwell.

Following his homily, Bishop Loverde blessed a tray full of Mother Seton medals, provided by the Shrine and presented for the blessing by Admiral and Mrs. Fallon. Each medal displays an image of Mother Seton on the obverse and an anchor on the reverse. The medals, worn by members of the Sponsoring Committee, are also available free to the public. To request a medal please contact the Seton Shrine at (301) 447-6606 or setonshrine.org/contact-seton-shrine.

Before the final blessing the congregation raised their voices in the song of praise—the Navy Hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” with an additional verse:

Midshipmen of our own Navy
Saint Elizabeth Ann’s sons served at sea;
She prayed for them both day and night
That God would guide them with His light;
Oh, Mother Seton, hear my plea,
As you did for them, now pray for me. Amen

After Mass the Sisters and Daughters of Charity treated pilgrims to a banquet of turkey and dressing in a spirit of thanksgiving to God Almighty.