The first American citizen canonized a saint in 1946, Mother Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Her shrine is in Washington Heights, New York City.
Inspired by the grace of God, we join the saints in honoring the holy virgin Frances Xavier Cabrini. She was a humble woman who became outstanding not because she was famous or rich or powerful, but because she lived a virtuous life. From the tender years of her youth, she kept her innocence as white as a lily and preserved it carefully with the thorns of penitence; as the years progressed, she was moved by a certain instinct and supernatural zeal to dedicate her whole life to the service and greater glory of God.
She welcomed delinquent youths into safe homes, and taught them to live upright and holy lives. She consoled those who were in prison, and recalled to them the hope of eternal life. She encouraged prisoners to reform themselves, and to live honest lives.
She comforted the sick and the infirm in the hospitals, and diligently cared for them. She extended a friendly and helping hand especially to immigrants, and offered them necessary shelter and relief, for having left their homeland behind, they were wandering about in a foreign land with no place to turn for help. Because of their condition, she saw that they were in danger of deserting the practice of Christian virtues and their Catholic faith.
Undoubtedly she accomplished all this through the faith which was always so vibrant and alive in her heart; through the divine love which burned within her; and finally, through constant prayer by which she was so closely united with God from whom she humbly asked and obtained whatever her human weakness could not obtain. Although her constitution was very frail, her spirit was endowed with such singular strength that, knowing the will of God in her regard, she permitted nothing to impede her from accomplishing what seemed beyond her strength.
From a homily at the canonization of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini by Pope Pius XII
God our Father, you called Frances Xavier Cabrini from Italy to serve the immigrants of America. By her example teach us concern for the stranger, the sick, and the frustrated. By her prayers help us to see Christ in all the men and women we meet.
Thank you for this information on Mother Cabrini. I will be taking her name as I get confirmed into the Holy Catholic Church in July. Ironically, I realized tonight after researching more that Mother Cabrini and I share the same birth day in July and I will be confirmed on that very day!
Like Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, I’m not where I expected to be as a youth, but I can serve as God leads me.
Thanks so much!
Hello Deborah, Thanks for the good news of your reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation and that of taking the name of Mother Cabrini. She is a wonderful saint to follow to Christ. Indeed, Divine Providence will lead you especially as you develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Blessed Trinity. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us. PAX!