Valley of Blessings
We envision the Shrine as a place of holy retreat and inspiration, where pilgrims by the thousands will have their hearts lifted in this "valley of blessings," their faith nourished, and their spirits rejuvenated. Taking our cue from St. Elizabeth’s desire to serve the Church and her people, we seek to offer a rich sacramental life at the Basilica; retreats and workshops for the faithful; educational exhibits and programs; as well as an enriching atmosphere for the Shrine’s many pilgrims.
As fellow friends of St. Elizabeth Ann, we invite you to join us in helping to continue her mission. We realize you may not be able to work directly alongside us as we reach out to God’s people, however, we still would like you to join us as a partner! A great way to achieve this is to unite with us in St. Elizabeth Ann’s "Valley of Blessings."
The "Valley of Blessings" is a convenient giving program which allows you to choose the amount of your monthly or annual donation. Through an automatic charge to your credit card on the 28th day of each month or one time each year, Seton Heritage Ministries’ administrative costs are kept very low, allowing more of your donation to go directly to our work.
When you become a partner in the "Valley of Blessings," we will provide you with the following gifts of appreciation:
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Prayer Card.
- 30-minute documentary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life, work, and continuing legacy of charity today. The Seton Legacy bicentennial film is seen and narrated through the eyes of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in the historic White House (1809) in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
- Set of elegant note cards produced by the French company Editions du Signe, in honor of Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life journey. A one-and-only collection of note cards that contains snapshots of Elizabeth Ann’s life.
- A special monthly e-mail letter, from Seton Heritage Ministries, keeping you up-to-date on our work and mission, including a personal message to you, our faithful partners.
Becoming part of the "Valley of Blessings" is easy, and you can change the amount of your donation or end it at any time by contacting Seton Heritage Ministries. Even if you can donate a small amount each month, it will make a huge difference. By adding your name to our list of partners, not only do you help support the work of Seton Heritage Ministries, you also play a very important part in continuing the mission of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Upcoming Events
Emmitsburg Community Day
On Saturday, June 30, from 9 am to 5 pm, Emmitsburg will celebrate its annual Community Day. This year, the Shrine will hold the Seton Heritage Expo on our grounds. The event will feature Civil War reenactors, heritage demonstrations, living historians tours, children’s activities, and more. Read More
Songs from the Camps, A FREE Civil War Picnic Concert
The distinctive down-home sounds of banjos, fiddles, tambourines and mandolins, which entertained soldiers on the battlefield camps, will fill the air on Sunday, July 8 at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton as two Civil War era bands perform a FREE picnic concert on our grounds. The concert will feature the Hancock String Band and the 2nd South Carolina String Band, both acclaimed for playing authentic Civil War era music. Read More
Annual Seton Legacy Classic Golf Tournament
Are you ready to play some golf, socialize with local VIPs and businesses, and just have some good-hearted fun! Join us on Sunday, June 24 at 1:30 pm at The Links at Gettysburg for our annual Seton Legacy Classic golf tournament. Read More
Civil War Tours
Take a guided tour to learn how the the Sisters and Daughters of Charity served the soldiers during the war that divided our nation, and visit the site where Union officers conducted a war council to prepare for the battle of Gettysburg. Read More
News & Events
Summer Renovations and Revised Shrine Hours
You are visiting the National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton at a very special time – a time of growth, a time of expansion, and a time of inspiration. Our roots in this Valley of Blessings, as Mother Seton referred to this area, are deep and strong – deep from the years of history that took place here and strong from the enduring legacy of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Our mission is to promote the life and legacy of the Elizabeth Ann Seton as a source of inspiration and encouragement for all people. As part of this mission we are expanding our spiritual and historical enrichment programs for all ages, pilgrimages, retreats, and workshops. Our museum will also be expanding its historical exhibits and offerings. All of this expansion results in the need to grow physically as well as spiritually! Much growth has already taken place and there is more to be done. As part of this growth, the HVAC system is being replaced in part of our facility, which includes the Basilica and some of the Museum areas. We appreciate your understanding during our time of growth, and it is our utmost priority to provide a comfortable and memorable visit for our patrons. Many of the areas are unaffected by the HVAC construction, and they will be cool and ready for you to visit! Read More
