Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, born into a large family in Lombardy, Italy, in 1850, harbored a dream of joining the convent at just eighteen. However, frail health deferred her aspirations. After dedicating years to her family’s farm post her parents’ demise, her path took a turn when she was called to educate at a girl’s school, a role she embraced for six years.

Her life’s mission crystallized through the encouragement of her bishop, leading her to establish the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, focusing on aiding impoverished children through education and healthcare. In a monumental shift prompted by Pope Leo XIII, she relocated to the United States in 1889 with six fellow nuns, directing her efforts towards aiding Italian immigrants.

Endowed with profound faith and exceptional leadership skills, Cabrini was a force of change in her new homeland. She established a series of thriving schools, hospitals, and orphanages, which, by the time of her passing in Chicago in 1917, had expanded across continents.

Her legacy was immortalized in 1946 when she was declared a saint by Pope Pius XII, marking her as the first American citizen to be canonized. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini now stands as a beacon of hope and the patroness of immigrants, a testament to her life’s work and enduring faith.

Photo credit: Nheyob via Wikimedia Commons
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22 COMMENTS

  1. St Frances Xavier Cabrini, please interceed for me and my family, let us be able to seek and find your face at this hour of our agony and be able to find you always through Christ our lord. Amen

  4. intercedes por todos los jovenes del mundo que tengan se de ti y por niños especialmente pror miguel angel garzon valdelamar y juan camilo garrzon valdelamar que puedan crecer espiritualmente y el santo angel de la guarda los acompañen siempre amen

  5. The steps of a man are from the LORD, and he establishes him in whose way he delights;
    Praise God! For this timely need, I beg you St. Frances to bless and guide us in our plan to be an immigrant in Canada in 2015 as I offer it all to Gods plan for us my husband and my 2 son- Joseph and Jacob. To add..for my children to have a good life and a priest forever.

  8. St. Frances Xavier, I am very convinced you know me and what is going on with me. I pray you intercede for me and family. I wish to receive God’s divine healing and breakthrough in my dream project.

  9. There is a shrine for this popular saint on Chicago’s north side – not far from Wrigley Field! – that has a beautiful chapel with Mother Cabrini relics and the bedroom where she spent her last days and hours – a powerful place to reflect on this “Mother Teresa” of America!

  10. i am not a catholic, but i bless this holy woman who gave so much to others. and i pray that the worry and anguish of the other people who left comments is relieved.

  11. Dear St. Frances Cabrini,

    Please pray and intercede for my sister and her children and husband. They are in crises and in need of much assistance. Also please pray for our President and all who are in authority for wisdom and solutions to our immigration policies and problems. For all those wandering in our land homeless and lost.

    AMEN

  14. mother Cabrini your shrine is just a few miles from me , and I could’nt even make a pilgrimage for your feast day . forgive me for I’am a sinfull man forgive me ,

  17. Almighty and Eternal Father,
    Giver of all Gifts,
    show us Thy mercy,
    and grant, we beseech Thee,
    through the merits of Thy faithful Servant,
    Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini,
    that all who invoke her intercession
    may obtain what they desire
    according to the good pleasure of Thy Holy Will.
    (here name your request)
    St. Frances Xavier Cabrini,
    beloved spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
    intercede for us
    that the favor we now ask may be granted.

  19. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us. Console those persecuted for their Faith, especially victims of 1600 years of Islamic attacks, which will never end, since it’s written into their code of conduct and belief. From France to Nigeria, from NYC to Rome, let the courageous fight against tyranny continue, in person and in print. Let walls of safety be built as in days of old to protect the pope!! He cannot be such a hypocrite as to ignore that irony when he pleads for open borders. Heaven has a gate to keep out the demonic, let us all recognize evil in our midst and follow suit, always on the spiritual defensive. Offensive measures include the rosary and reality! The devil is allergic to reality, thus is the father of lies, of deception, of distorted lenses. Bring us clarity through Truth, justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance to be found only in the most Holy Trinity, God the Father Almighty, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
    All holy men and women, martyrs, saints, angels, pray for us.
    Let Truth be honoured and Light be cast into every shadow.
    Holy Family of Nazareth, restore matrimony and family life.
    Transform all of mankind’s iniquity into integrity. Amen.
    Ecce Crucem Domini!
    Fugite partes adversae!
    Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
    Radix David! Alleluia!
    Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us. For Italy.
    Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. For Rome.
    Blood of Christ Crucified, cleanse the Vatican.
    Restore the Holy See to trustworthy holy hands. Amen.

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