Church receives holy reliquary of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Sparta - Angel and Bonzena Diaz of Sparta donated a family heirloom, a holy reliquary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, on Jan. 4. Monsignor Paul Knauer of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Sparta received the donation, which marked the 185th anniversary of the saint’s death. After converting to Roman Catholicism, St. Elizabeth opened the first free American parochial school and Catholic orphanage. Her legacy includes six religious communities with over 5,000 members, hundreds of schools, social service centers and hospitals throughout the world. “She is an example of someone who gave everything she had to give,” commented Angel. On Sept. 14, 1975, Pope Paul VI canonized her, making her the first North American-born saint. The Diazes made the donation in honor of Angel’s deceased father, Fausto Angel Lorenzo Diaz, as well as all American servicemen killed, wounded or missing in action. “This donation is for humanity and for all soldiers who gave their lives for this great country. I could’ve easily been one of those who didn’t come home, as a result I want to give back to the community,” explained Angel, who served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. With this donation, the Diaz family hopes to spread St. Elizabeth’s teachings. “I’m grateful to her. She’s been a spiritual guidance to me, a strength,” explained Angel. He also donated two other reliquaries to churches in Bergen County.