“Today love must not be hidden… it must be living, active and true.” – Frances Xavier Cabrini
Frances Xavier Cabrini grew up in Italy during a time when women missionaries were unheard of – but she didn’t let that stop her from following God’s call to minister to the vulnerable in New York. From founding schools and hospitals to rescuing orphans off the streets, Frances Xavier Cabrini worked tirelessly to care for those society viewed as “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
As we celebrate her Memorial on November 13, we invite you to learn five facts about her life and discover where she is portrayed in America’s Catholic Church.
1. During her youth, Frances would dress her dolls as nuns.
Born on July 15, 1850, in Lombardy, Italy, Frances Xavier Cabrini felt called to be a missionary from an early age. As a young girl, she would dress her dolls as nuns and send them down the river in boats as “missionaries.” What made this dream even more extraordinary is that during this period, the Church had no female missionaries.
2. She founded the first institute for female missionaries.
When Frances grew up, she never lost her heart for missions, and at 27, she approached a local bishop about the matter. At his suggestion, she founded the first institute for female missionaries: the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and within a decade, it was recognized by Rome.
3. In her lifetime, Frances traversed the ocean 39 times, founding over 60 missions across Europe and the Americas.
While Frances initially envisioned working in China, a conversation with the Pope made her realize that God was calling her “not to the East, but to the West.” When she was 30, Frances immigrated to New York City with six of her missionary sisters, intending to found orphanages in Little Italy. The plan was initially met with resistance from New York’s archbishop – primarily due to lack of funds. Regardless, Frances managed to secure $5,000 for the endeavor and was soon caring for over 400 orphans from the city streets. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart went on to found a variety of Catholic institutions throughout Europe and the Americas.
4. She is the patroness of immigrants.
After years of faithfully serving Italian immigrants in the United States, Frances passed away on December 22, 1917, in a migrant hospital that she helped found in Chicago. Today, she is recognized as the patroness of immigrants, hospital administrators, missionaries, and impossible causes.
5. She was the first American citizen to be canonized.
On July 7, 1946, Frances Xavier Cabrini was canonized by Pope Pius XII. Today, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart is now an international organization that ministers in 16 countries across six continents.
At America’s Catholic Church, you can find St. Francis Xavier Cabrini portrayed in the west portico, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, the Trinity Dome mosaic, and in a sculpture in the Hall of American Saints.
Sources:
“Address to the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” The Vatican.
“St. Frances Xavier Cabrini,” Britannica.
“St. Francesca Saverio Cabrini,” Vatican News.
The Way of Saints, Tom Cowan.
