David filming the amazing church at the National Shrine of St Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, MD
- Day three, we were both very tired, but we had a lot of work to do—including most of my on-camera stuff.
We started at the White House, the second building built on the property for Mother Seton and her community. This was the building where she taught, lived, and died, and there was a lot to see.
A small chapel in the White House at the National Shrine of St Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, MD
This is the chapel, where she prayed and attended Mass. may favorite thing in here was—guess? The Stations of the Cross. They’re little, but beautiful. I tried really hard to get good pix of them, but I think David’s video will turn out better.
They’re made out of meerschaum, which is a mineral that is mainly used to carve smoking pipes. It’s very easy to carve. Isn’t is gorgeous?!
The weather was still gloomy, but at least it was consistent! 🙂
The outside of the church at the National Shrine of St Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, MD
We got some nice exterior shots, the interior of the Visitor Center, and some leftover things in the Basilica. By the time we packed up, it was pouring!
Back to the White House we went, to clean up our mess, make the beds, and leave the place nice and clean. It was sad to go, but I can’t wait to start editing the footage and start putting things together.
There is a slight possibility we might stop by again to get some nicer exterior shots in the summertime, when we go to Baltimore to shoot the Mother Seton House at Paca Street, but who knows.
Personally, I think it was nice to be there when the weather wasn’t 70 and sunny. After all, Mother Seton and her community didn’t always enjoy that kind of weather. They suffered through some rough times in that valley, trudging through mud to get water to drink, or making their way through snow to attend Mass. It isn’t always easy, just like a life of faith. Funny thing is, there’s a line about that in my script—how life isn’t always sunshine and roses when you believe in God. St. Elizabeth Ann’s life shows how that’s the case. She endured so much tragedy, and yet her faith grew stronger and stronger.
Maybe God wanted the weather to be gloomy to help us make that point just a little bit more tangible. Thanks, God!
He is, after all, the best set designer!