The Seton Hall Chamber Choir marked the 50th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization by performing at her National Shrine in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The choir’s appearance was part of a weekend festival that concluded with their performance on September 14.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is the namesake of Seton Hall University, and her values are central to the institution’s mission. Representatives from the university attended the event to honor this connection.
The choir performed several pieces, including “With Great Love” by Chris de Silva, “I Believe” by Mark Miller, Mozart’s “Ave verum corpus,” and the spiritual “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” arranged by William Dawson.
This year also saw the implementation of Seton Hall’s new Strategic Plan, Inspiring Great Minds to Greater Purpose. The trip gave students and faculty an opportunity to reflect on Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life and legacy.
Gemma Patrick, a member of the choir, noted: “It was so busy, and it was amazing to see so many people get together and celebrate Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.” She explained that the group had only three weeks to prepare for their performance and said she felt honored to participate in such an occasion.
Sophomore Mary Brynn Christenson contributed an oral interpretation of Dorothy Day’s work during the program. Associate Professor Catherine Zizik commented: “This was a powerful way to commemorate Elizabeth Ann Seton at the Shrine and unite two women whose lives embodied faith in action. Both served others — Seton through education and founding the Sisters of Charity, and Day through the Catholic Worker Movement and her advocacy for social justice. Presenting Day’s words with quotations from Mother Seton honored Seton’s legacy as a living tradition. It reminded audiences that compassion, service and faith are timeless calls to action and central to the Catholic social mission.”
Before their scheduled performance on September 14, members of the choir visited Gettysburg National Military Park where they sang an impromptu rendition of the National Anthem at Little Round Top. Patrick described being moved by both the historical significance of Gettysburg and its landscape. She expressed gratitude for being able to represent Seton Hall at such events that combine heritage, service, and music as part of maintaining ties with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s legacy.
