St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Coloring Page
This St. Elizabeth Ann Seton coloring page shows Mother Seton in her bonnet-like cap and short cape, holding a book and a rosary, with two schoolgirls beside her and a little schoolhouse in the Maryland hills. The PDF is free to print. She was the first saint born in the United States.
The story of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Elizabeth was born in New York City in 1774, just before the United States became a country. She grew up loving God and reading the Bible. When she grew up, she married a merchant named William Seton, and they had five children: Anna Maria, William, Richard, Catherine and Rebecca.
William became very sick, and the family sailed all the way to Italy, hoping the warm weather would help him get better. But William died there. Elizabeth was far from home and very sad. Kind Italian friends, the Filicchi family, took care of her and her children. They were Catholic, and they took Elizabeth with them to church. There she came to believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, and she loved Mary as her mother.
Back home in New York, Elizabeth became a Catholic. Some of her friends and relatives turned away from her, and she was poor. But she trusted God.
Then God gave her a new job. In 1809 she moved to Emmitsburg, a little town in the hills of Maryland. There she started the Sisters of Charity, the first community of sisters begun in the United States, and a free school for the girls of the valley. People called her Mother Seton. Her sisters went on to open schools, orphanages and hospitals across the country.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton died in 1821. In 1975 she became the first saint born in the United States. She is a patron of Catholic schools and one of the best-known American saints. Her feast is January 4.
What to color
- Her cap, dress and cape: black, the habit of the first Sisters of Charity.
- The book: any color, for her love of the Bible and of teaching.
- The rosary: any color you like, for her love of Mary.
- The schoolgirls: bright dresses and bonnets, for the children of her free school.
- The schoolhouse: gray stone with a red chimney and green hills around it.
A prayer to pray together
Mother Seton taught that the first rule of life is to do God's will. Children can pray:
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
And add: help us do what God wants, at home and at school.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on her feast, January 4, as the new school term begins.
- Write a thank-you note to a teacher, catechist or principal.
- Find New York City and Emmitsburg, Maryland, on a map.
- Talk about it: Elizabeth lost many things she loved, but she kept trusting God. What helps you trust God when things are hard?
Read the full story: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton?
Mother Seton and her sisters wore a black dress, a short black cape and usually a black cap. Make her book and rosary any color you like, and give the schoolgirls bright dresses, green hills and a gray stone schoolhouse.
Why is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton shown with children?
She was a mother of five, and she started a free school for girls in Emmitsburg, Maryland. That is why she is the patron saint of Catholic schools.
Was Elizabeth Ann Seton the first American saint?
She was the first saint born in the United States. Pope Paul VI declared her a saint in 1975.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.