Why was Elizabeth Ann Seton canonized?

Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized primarily for her significant contributions to establishing the Catholic Church in the United States, as well as for her role in founding Catholic schools. In 1805, she founded the first Catholic school in the nation in Emmitsburg, Maryland, which laid the groundwork for a Catholic educational system in the U.S. Furthermore, she was instrumental in creating the Sisters of Charity, the first religious community of women in the United States dedicated to education and care for the poor. Her efforts transformed the landscape of Catholic education and broadened the reach of the Church, making her a pivotal figure in American religious history.

While her work in education and charitable contributions are indeed important aspects of her legacy, the primary focus of her canonization was her foundational role in establishing the Catholic Church and schools in a rapidly growing nation.