ELIZABETH ANN BAYLEY SETON was the first native born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She married at the age of nineteen. When her husband died, she converted to Roman Catholicism. To support her children, she started a school, but it failed due to anti-bigotry of the day. After some trying and difficult years, Elizabeth accepted the invitation of support made to her and moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland. Eventually, she was able to establish a religious community in Emmitsburg, dedicated to the care of the children of the poor. She is the patron saint of Catholic Schools. Her feast day is January 4.