EMMITSBURG, MD – The Sisters and Daughters of Charity welcomed more than 400 visitors to the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on Sunday, Oct. 5, for its annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services. The Most Reverend Gregg M. Caggianelli, Ch, Col, USAF, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), was the principal celebrant and homilist for the 3:30 p.m. Mass, which was broadcast Sunday night on EWTN. The pilgrimage is celebrated each year on the first Sunday in October to seek Mother Seton’s intercession for the safety of those serving at sea, including the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and Public Health Services.
In his homily, Bishop Caggianelli recalled a recent conversation with a Naval officer who came across a painting depicting the Lord Jesus protecting a sailor at the helm of a ship in the midst of a great storm. “This image seems to capture the world we live in,” Bishop Caggianelli preached. “This week two hurricanes passed by in the Atlantic, the government is shutdown, wars plague our world, political divisions seem insurmountable, and storm winds seem to be blowing all around. We can be tempted to give into despair and fear amid the waves, but we gather to remember, that we are not alone. We gather as those in the boat with Our Lord, as people of faith, assured of the closeness of God and the embrace of Jesus as His hands wrap around ours at the helm of our lives.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization by Pope St. Paul VI on Sept. 14, 1975. Born in New York City to a prominent Episcopalian family, Mother Seton became Catholic after her husband, a wealthy businessman, fell terminally ill. He died leaving his wife and their five children, two of whom served in the U.S. Navy. Mother Seton went on to found the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph and the first free Catholic girls’ school in the United States.
Bishop Caggianelli noted how Mother Seton experienced her own storms in life:
“She knew challenge, setbacks, human loss and tragedy and human limitations. She wasn’t superhuman in her own right, but she was an amazing woman of faith. She allowed God to take the helm. She responded to God and entrusted the projects He inspired, and with faith and God’s grace, she accomplished things beyond human imagining.
“Brothers and sisters, we received God’s amazing gift of faith at baptism. This gift was planted in us like a mustard seed. Are we willing to cooperate and give God permission to take the helm of our lives to lead and guide us? Give God permission.”
The annual Pilgrimage is co-sponsored by a Committee of retired Naval and Marine Corps officers in partnership with the AMS. 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. Although this year’s pilgrimage was well-attended, as usual, by military families and others, one group of usual attendees was noticeably absent due to the government shutdown: midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Following his homily, Bishop Caggianelli 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.
Before the final blessing the congregation raised their voices in the song of praise—”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.