The commitment to Christ is often difficult.  Jesus promised it would be.  He faced a great challenge when he committed to the Father's plan.  His sorrowful journey of rejection is a road that St. Elizabeth Ann Seton travelled as well.  Her family and friends rejected her after she became Catholic.  Fr. O'Connor shares about these life experiences of Elizabeth Ann Seton and how she chose to stick-with-it. 

The teaching section of the video is followed by the recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.  During the month of May, the Church encourages us to spend some time deepening our relationship with Mary through this beautiful devotion.  

Below are a couple of questions for you to consider while watching the video presentation.  Make some notes and follow up by having a conversations with someone who is also watching this series.  

1. Have you faced rejection for your faith?  Bring those memories to your praying of the Rosary.  Imagine yourself walking with Jesus, carry the cross, let your face be wiped, greet the Blessed Mother...  This prayer will help you see that you were not alone in your rejection. Share about this prayer experience with your conversation partner.

2. Cruciformity, cross-like living, is always available to us.  To what or whom do you cling too tightly?  In what concrete area of your life, what specific person or practice, is Jesus inviting you to empty yourself?

3. New beginnings rise from the emptying.  Even as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton rested at the foot of the Cross, she felt a hint of the Father's power to revive.  Describe a time you felt new life come from the "little deaths" in your life.

This is lesson three of four.  Each Wednesday of May we will look at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and her experiences with, and relationship to, Mary.  These four lessons will be paired with one of the four sets of mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary, which we will pray together. See our website and YouTube page for the other lessons.