Roman Catholic Church
HELLO CHARM CITY – BALTIMORE , MARYLAND. A VISIT TO THE MOTHER SETON HOUSE
It’s not a huge step , but number 57 on my 30 Plus Teams Tour bucket list has been accomplished .
( See sportsandtravelblog.wordpress.com/my-30-plus-teams-tour-bucket-list-all -150-of-them 2017/08/16)
While in Baltimore , I visited the home of the first American born Catholic saint , Mother Elizabeth Seton .
I not only learned about her life , which was quite tragic , but I found out much more .
(She lost her husband and became a widow at a young age with children due to illness , she was in a foreign country , Italy , knowing not a soul, and if that wasn’t bad enough , her family and her husband’s family disowned her because she converted to Catholicism . )
As the state of Maryland was founded by Roman Catholics escaping persecution in England , there is so much church history , not only at the Mother Seton House , but also at St . Mary’s Chapel , which is also on the grounds where Mother Seton’s home is .
There’s a free tour that one can take that not only shows you her home , where she not only taught her own daughters , but other young girls as well .
Her home was a safe haven for Blacks before and during the Civil War .
The tour guide not only shows you a movie about Mother Seton , but also about the French priests and nuns who came to Baltimore to escape persecution back in France during the French Revolution .
Their story just isn’t a part of Baltimore’s history , but the history of Early America as well .
I was truly fascinated by the stories of two nuns , Sister Marguerite Duchemin and Mother Mary Lange , both of whom were African American nuns .
The two of them founded two orders of nuns who were like themselves , African American .
There is a public park on the grounds where the church and Mother Seton’s home stand .
This area of Baltimore is known as Seton Hill and it’s very peaceful .
The houses haven’t changed since French settlers came to this city .
I have many more places to see and things to do on my bucket list , but I would have to say that the visit to Mother Seton’s home was one of the most inspirational .
HELLO CHARM CITY – BALTIMORE , MARYLAND . VISITING THE BALTIMORE BASILICA .
While walking back to the Baltimore Hostel where you all are staying at , right across the street from you, you all notice the Baltimore Basilica , which happens to be the oldest cathedral in the United States .
The state of Maryland was settled by Roman Catholics from England who couldn’t practice their faith back home .
Even if you aren’t Roman Catholic , I would advise you to visit the cathedral .
You will have one of those ” Oh my God ” moments when you walk into the entrance .
The church was already beautiful but the renovations which have taken place in the past few years have made the cathedral even more beautiful to look at .
If you want to , you can even attend weekday Mass , which begins at Noon , or you can just go in and light a candle .
You may take some pictures , but just remember that you are in a church .
No selfies please .
Save those for the Baltimore Ravens football game or an outing at Camden Yards .
That’s really what your 30 Plus Teams Tour of Baltimore is all about .
If you don’t want to have a little peace and quiet inside of the church , just walk outside .
Not even a block away is one of the most serene and peaceful places in the city .
It’s the Pope John Paul I I Garden .
Take time to enjoy your surroundings and think about what you want to see next.
