11 American saints to remember on the Fourth of July

[Michie]

On July 4, Americans celebrate their country’s independence — as well as the people who formed the United States into the country that it is today. Those include American saints.

Here are 11 American saints who dedicated their lives to God and those in need in the United States:

1. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774–1821​

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton became the first American-born saint in 1975. Born in New York City, she married the love of her life at 19 and welcomed five children. She endured much suffering in her life, incluing the death of her husband, William, of tuberculosis after dire financial trouble. Two years later, Seton converted to Catholicism and went on to found the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph — the first order of religious women in the U.S. She founded several schools, including the first free U.S. Catholic school. Today, she is considered the founder of the U.S. Catholic school system.

Her feast day is Jan. 4.

Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821), the first native-born United States citizen to be canonized, circa 1810s. Credit: Everett Collection/Shutterstock

2. St. John Neumann, 1811–1860​

Continued below.

11 American saints to remember on the Fourth of July

From Isaac Jogues to Katharine Drexel, these saints who lived and ministered in the United States led heroic lives worth celebrating.

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