Project BLACK MAMBA: Christmastide

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious, S.C. (1774-1821), foundress of the Sisters of Charity, today organized under the umbrella of the Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian Tradition: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.C..

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

First native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She established the first Cathoic girls' school in the nation in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she also founded the first American congregation of religious sisters, the Sisters of Charity.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Elizabeth was born on 28 August 1774 in New York City. She was the daughter of an eminent physician & professor at what is now Columbia University. She was brought up as an Episcopalian, & from her early years manifested an unusual concern for the poor. She married William Seton in 1794 & had five children. The loss of their fortune affected William's health & in 1803 they went to stay with Catholic friends in Livorno, Italy. William died six weeks after their arrival. When Elizabeth returned to New York City six months later, she was convinced of the catholic faith. She was baptized a catholic on 4 March 1805. Abandoned by her friends & relatives. she was invited by the Sulpicians to start a girls' school in Baltimore. Elizabeth & her assistants began a community of religious similar to the Sisters of Charity founded by St. Vincent de Paul (). She laid the foundation for what became the American parochial school system. She died at Emmitsburg on 4 January 1821.

Saint quote of the day: "We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that He gives us every grace, every abundant grace; & though we are so weak ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle & difficulty. The gate of heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it."—St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

'Tis also the feast of Saint Rigobert, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 743): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses twenty-two thru chapter four, verse six;
Psalm Two, verses seven(b) thru eight & ten thru twelve(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter four, verses twelve thru seventeen & twenty-three thru twenty-five;

or, for the Memorial,
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter ten, verses eight & nine;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter eleven, verses twenty-five thru thirty.