You Have Seen the Movie, Now Dig Deeper into Cabrini's Life
Today, November 13, we celebrate the feast day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini , a remarkable figure in the Catholic Church and the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint . Known as Mother Cabrini, she was born in Italy on July 15, 1850, and dedicated her life to serving immigrants and those on the margins of society. After founding the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Italy, she journeyed to the United States at the request of Pope Leo XIII to minister to the growing population of Italian immigrants. Her tireless work in education, health care, and social services not only transformed lives but laid a foundation for Catholic social teaching on immigration. In 1909, Mother Cabrini became a naturalized U.S. citizen, deepening her connection to the country she would serve until her passing in 1917. She is now the patron saint of immigrants, and her legacy continues in our communities today through the work of her congregation. With compassion ...