Click any of the following links to jump to different sections of our page dedicated to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.
Overview
- Birth: July 15, 1850
- Location: Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy
- Death: December 22, 1917
- Beatification: November 13, 1938 by Pope Pius XI
- Canonized: July 7, 1946 by Pope Pius XII
- Feast Day: November 13
- Patron Saint of: immigrants
Early Life
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born in Italy two months premature, so she remained small and weak throughout childhood. She was so frail that she was rejected from several religious orders because of her health.
However, she was deeply inspired by the missionary zeal of St. Francis Xavier and dreamed of following his example. While she wanted to follow in his footsteps and evangelize in China, Pope Leo XIII had other plans and providentially sent her to the United States instead.
Throughout her whole life she struggled with illness and weakness, but in spite of this – and despite her fear of the ocean – she crossed the Atlantic more than 30 times to carry out her missionary work in the United States.
Legacy
Mother Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and with these women, she built a network of 67 institutions, including orphanages, hospitals, convents, and schools.
St. Cabrini was a tireless advocate for the poor and marginalized. She believed that everyone had the right to a dignified life, and she dedicated her life to serving those who were most in need. Her legacy lives on today as the first U.S. citizen to be canonized.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Prayers
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is particularly known for work with the poor and marginalized. She wanted to evangelize in the East, but remained obedient to the Church. For help with surrendering to Jesus’ will, here is a prayer you can say:
“My loving Jesus, I enclose myself in you and surrender myself completely in your loving Heart…Enlighten my mind with a ray of your light, move my heart and soul and make me do whatever pleases you and is for your greater glory.
Jesus, I love you so much…but I am so weak that in my ignorance and sinfulness I still do not know how to correspond, even partially, to all the special graces and loving tenderness with which you surround me.
I will think of you and rest in you, my beloved Jesus.
Behold your servant — do with me whatever you want!“
(Source)
“Almighty and Eternal Father,
Giver of all Gifts,
show us Your mercy,
and grant, we ask You,
through the merits of Your faithful Servant,
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini,
that all who invoke her intercession
may obtain what they desire
according to the good pleasure of Your Holy Will.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini,
beloved spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
intercede for us
that the favor we now ask may be granted.”
(Source)
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Quotes
- “I will go anywhere and do anything in order to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him.”
- “If you are in danger, if your hearts are confused, turn to Mary; she is our comfort, our help; turn towards her and you will be saved.”
- “Prayer is powerful! It fills the earth with mercy, it makes the Divine clemency pass from generation to generation; right along the course of the centuries wonderful works have been achieved through prayer.”
Patronage
- Cabrini University – Radnor, Penn.
- The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini – Chicago, Ill.
- Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Radnor, Penn.
- Saint Frances Cabrini Parish – San Jose, Calif.
- Saint Frances X. Cabrini Catholic School – Los Angeles, Calif.
- Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church – Orlando, Fla.
- St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School – Philadelphia, Pa.