In the Footsteps of Elizabeth - A Faculty and Staff Camino

On Friday, September 25, 36 staff and faculty participated in a walking tour of Mother Seton-related sites located in lower Manhattan, NYC. The tour was in honor of the 50th anniversary of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization year, as it draws to a close. The event was organized by Mary Balkun, Ph.D., professor of English and director of Faculty Development, as well as Maureen Byrnes, Accelerated Nursing Program, Freehold Campus clinical adjunct professor. Both were inspired by a trip to Mother Seton’s shrine in Emmetsburg, Maryland, led by Father Nick Sertich in June 2025.

The first site the group visited was St. Peter’s Church, which is the oldest Catholic parish in New York. It was established in 1785 and the current building was erected in 1836. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was a parishioner at St. Peter’s and was baptized there in 1836. While visiting the church, Father Nick Sertich, the director of Campus Ministry, provided remarks about the connections between Mother Seton and the church.

The next visits on the camino were to St. Paul’s Chapel and Trinity Church. Mother Seton belonged to this Episcopal parish until her conversion. The group was given a tour of both locations by Dane Miller, head verger and associate director of Liturgical Operations for Trinity Church. He shared historical information about both sites and arranged to have several documents related to Mother Seton available for the group, including her Baptismal record. Before moving on to the tour’s final stop, everyone enjoyed lunch at the Broadstone NYC restaurant.

The final stop for the group was the Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine at 8 State Street, which is the site of the home where Mother Seton lived with her family from 1801-03. The original house was demolished, but the current shrine memorializes Mother Seton and her legacy as the originator of the Sisters of Charity. The group was treated to remarks about Mother Seton and the shrine from Evan Barton, who served as docent.

In addition to the sites already mentioned, the group was able to view several statues of Mother Seton created by Sister Margaret Beaudette, SC (Sister of Charity). The first was in St. Peter’s Church and the second in the shrine. Interestingly, Sister Margaret was also the artist responsible for the sculptures at Seton Hall in front of Jubilee Hall and inside Bethany Hall.

“When we boarded the bus and began with a prayer, I mentioned to the group that we’re one Seton Hall family and the trip was an opportunity to take a family 'vacation' to walk in the footsteps of our 'mother' and that’s exactly what it felt like! I loved being surrounded by colleagues and friends walking where Mother Seton walked, praying in churches where she prayed, sitting in spaces where she sat,” Father Nick Sertich said about the event. “The trip reminded me that the work we do at Seton Hall isn’t just work – it’s keeping alive the legacy of a woman who spent a lifetime in service to God and service to others. She’s not just our namesake but a powerful role model to those of us who, like her, educate young minds, hearts and spirits and show them the love that God has for them.”

In the Footsteps of Elizabeth was supported by the University Strategic Plan, Piller 2 Committee. As Maureen Byrnes stated, “The camino has certainly spurred great interest in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, and across many disciplines. The Footsteps of Elizabeth was a small, yet unique way to commemorate the close of her canonization’s 50th anniversary. We walked in her steps! My hope is that the faculty and administrators who participated allow what we have learned to linger in their hearts and thoughts, and to take root in their academic life here at her namesake university: Seton Hall!” Mary Balkun added, “This event was a wonderful opportunity not only to learn more about our university’s namesake but also to connect with colleagues from across the university in a meaningful way. We would love to make it an annual event.” Some of the participants also shared their thoughts about the experience afterwards. Cheree Quizon, associate professor of Anthropology, described it as providing “a really unique understanding of a very special life,” while Renee Cicchino, director of Instructional Design and Training in the TLTC observed, “Seton Hall has been a part of my life for 36 years, but it wasn’t until our trip that I really got to know Mother Seton and learned what an incredible woman she was. Walking in her footsteps was amazing, and sharing the day with such wonderful colleagues made it even more special.” The inspirational nature of the experience was echoed by Genevieve Zipp, professor of Health Sciences, and Anthony Haynor, associate professor of Sociology, who both described it as an “inspiring day.” Melinda Papaccio, lecturer in English, summed it up: “I’m grateful to have a better sense of the woman who is the foundation of our identity at Seton Hall.”

Several projects are being considered as an extension of In the Footsteps of Elizabeth, including a book discussion group, a project focused on the resources held by the Walsh Library Archives, and a 3D printing model of the iconic “Hazard Zet Forward” statue in front of Jubilee Hall.

Categories: Faith and Service