Hi, this is Kylie. Thank you all for listening to Lent with the Saints and for sending in your questions. I loved hearing from you. I will be answering three of your questions in a bonus episode this weekend. This special episode comes out on Sunday at LentWithTheSaints.com or wherever you listen to the podcast. March 1804. Two months after William's death, Elizabeth and Anina are still in Italy, waiting for the ship that will bring them home to New York. As she struggles with newfound widowhood, Elizabeth has an encounter that awakens new faith, even as her family's financial prospects worsen. The Saints. Adventures of Faith and Courage. Elizabeth and Seton. Episode 3, Their Real Presence. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com. I heard you saw her queen today, Anina. What did you think of her? I saw her twice, but she didn't look much different from her ladies in weeding. Was the gallery at least more interesting to you than the opera? Yes. I was attracted to the Madonna. Her smiles seem to say, I fear neither time nor death. The descent from the cross painting it, it engaged my whole soul. It is as large as life. The De Cremona. I don't remember the artist, but the expressions. The Mary at the foot of the cross showed so well that the iron had entered into her. How hard it was to leave that picture. Mama, how much longer will we be here in Italy? I don't know. You will go with the first ready ship. I am going to the shipyard to inquire this afternoon. Thank you, Antonio. That will be so big by the time we get back. Do you think she'll be talking and walking when we finally get home? Oh, I hope not. You'll be home soon. And leave all this tragedy behind you. No, Amavilia. My time in Italy will always be in my most cherished memories. You have been so kind. If only we could have done more. God's will was done. Yes. Well, I'd best get down to see about that ship so we can get you back to your little ones in New York. I owe them a long letter. I'll write one too. Cat asked about the queen in her last letter. Be sure to give her a full report. Dinner is at seven, Elizabeth. Let me know if you need anything before then. Thank you, Amavilia. My dear Julia. Here I anxiously wait for the day of sailing. The Felicis do all they can to ease my situation. Indeed, from the day we arrived we have received nothing but kindness, even from servants and strangers. Amavilia taught Anina and I to make the sign of the cross. The Catholic religion is full of meanings which interest me. Not only all the little motions and traditions or the incredible architecture of their gorgeous churches, but the mass itself is full of awe and mystery. I went to mass today with the Felicis. There was a Protestant man seated beside me, also a stranger to all the kneeling and standing. When the priest elevated the host, he leaned over to me and whispered loudly. This is what they call their real presence. Oh, Julia, I was mortified. I can't laugh at the Catholic's real presence. I don't know how to describe the awful feeling that came over me when they say God's body and soul is in the room with me. I covered my face with my hands and let the tears run. I saw nothing and no one from then on as the mass continued, but I will never forget the experience. Oh, Julia, how happy would we be if we believed what these dear souls believe, that they possess God in the sacrament and that He remains in their churches and is carried to them when they are sick? Why do I tell you all this? I write some letters where the words drop so heavily that I can scarcely form them at all, but when I begin, dear Julia, they flow faster than the pen can write them. A procession with their Eucharist. Oh, Mary, help me. I want to believe. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Mama, Mama, why are you crying? I was praying, dear. But why were you crying? Come, look out my window. The Catholics are processing outside with the Eucharist. What a pretty song. Anina, do you know any prayers to Mary? Yes. I asked Senor Felici to teach me one. Would you teach me? Yes. Hail Mary. Hail Mary. Full of grace. Full of grace. The Lord is with thee. The Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God. Holy Mary, Mother of God. Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Come in. I have good news. I got you passage and a ship back to America. Oh, thank you. When do we go? We sail in a fortnight, and I'm coming with you. I have some business I can do in New York, and I'd like to help you set up your new situation. Thank you, Antonio. You've done so much more than a brother would do. I have no way to thank you. Let me meet Williams for other children, and we'll call it even. Are you sure? But you'll be so far from Amabilia. Amabilia and I have talked about this since you first got here. No use persuading me for the duties of a friend. William had no better friend than you. Haas, I am his friend always. Yes, yes you are. I will leave you now. Until dinner. Also, it is St. Francis the Sal's feast day. I brought you a copy of his devout life to amuse you. I'm sure it will. Landhold! Ready to lock! Harbour is clear! I can't see Mama. Do you think she'll recognize me, aren't you, Leah? Of course she'll recognize you, Willie. I wish... I wish power coming back. I know, but no sad faces now. Not with your Mama coming back. Here, you hold back so I can lift Cat up to see the ship. There she is! Oh look, Dick! Will, hold up back! Your mother is at the front with Nina! I see, I see! Mama, look at me! Aloy there, Mother. I'm a sailor now. Look, Antonio, those are my little ones. Ha ha ha, beautiful. Elizabeth! Anina! Anina! Anina! Do you see Willie? Here they come, so big! What am I here? He might be as tall as me now. Mama! Mama! I'm a sailor now, so... With strength, I tied it to a low. My dear Willie, you are so tall. And this is Beck. Quick, give her to me. Oh, why you're a real little girl now, sweet Rebecca. She can say seven words now. I must hear them all. She crawls all over the place, but she hasn't started walking yet. Good girl, you saved a first for your memotisy. Dick lost three teeth and Cat started reading the newspaper. I don't let her read all of the newspaper, of course. Oh, I've been away too long. Elizabeth? Elizabeth! No tears now. It's been eight months. I thought I was a heroine in October. I weaned a baby and booked passage to Italy all in one week. Little did I know what lay ahead. I miss him. Of course you do. But don't dwell on it. There are more challenges ahead. Don't I know it? We're bankrupt, Antonio. We spent all we had on those tickets to Italy. That's why I am here. I plan to set up a subscription to support you. What do you mean? I have been in contact with several of William's old business associates. Mrs. Scott spoke to a Reverend Hobart. Reverend Hobart and the Whites and Martins and Ravenscroft families are most eager to see you and help you adjust to life. They and many others in your church have agreed to give a little every month to support you and your family. Thank you, Antonio. You won't need to worry about supporting your children or yourself. That's not true. I must do something or I'll lose my mind. What do you mean? I've made some plans of my own. I wrote to Reverend Hobart and he suggests I start a little school for boys. For boys? Do you think you can handle that? I can try. Come, Elizabeth. We have two carriages waiting to take us home. I opened up your house and got it running again as soon as I heard you'd booked your tickets home. Oh, I've missed that big fancy house. There will be dinner ready for us when we arrive. Time to go, children. I will come to call on you in the morning, Elizabeth. Thank you, Antonio. We will have much to discuss. Elizabeth, be frank with me. Do you really plan to teach little boys on top of raising your own children? Three dollars a week for each boy. I could do their washing and mending as well. It will be good for me and make us less of a burden. You're not a burden, Elizabeth. My William has left his five darlings and myself wholly dependent on the bounty of those individuals who have loved and respected him. I am so grateful and I rely upon your generosity, but I must do something myself. There is no need for you to become a laundress and a school teacher, Elizabeth. You and the children can come and live with me in Philadelphia. They're already quite used to it. You have enough to trouble you without my five children. You and William took care of me when Louis died. Let me do the same for you. Oh, I will. I'll rely on your help. But their cousins and aunts and uncles are all here in New York. I don't want to uproot them all at once. At least send a Nina to live with me then. Julia, my oldest daughter is my heart. I can't part from her any easier than I can from that organ and live. Very well then. But you must not refuse my help or anything the Felicis offer. I won't. I'm not trying to be stubborn, dearest. I've been corresponding with Reverend Hobart and following his advice diligently. I've been very, very torn up in spirit since William's death. I know you understand, Julia. I need work to keep myself busy. Very well then. It'll be fun. Teaching an army of boys to read and write. No thank you. Luckily, it'll be me marching into the lion's den, not you. We'll see how you fare. If anyone can run a school, it's you. Thank you, love. Well, here we are. Home for a new adventure. TheSaintsPodcast.com
