Saint News

November 13

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Mother Cabrini)

Mother Cabrini was an Italian-born missionary who came to the United States to care for immigrant families, open schools, and show God’s love to those who felt alone.

bio

Francesca Cabrini was born in Italy in 1850 and was the thirteenth child in her family. Many of her siblings did not survive childhood, and Francesca herself was small, often sick, and very quiet. Even so, she carried a brave dream in her heart. As a little girl she loved to fold tiny paper boats, fill them with flower petals, and place them in the river. She imagined that the boats were traveling to faraway places and carrying God’s love to people who needed hope.

As she grew older, people told her that she was too weak to become a missionary. Francesca did not let their doubts stop her. She trusted that if God placed this dream inside her, He would guide her. She became a sister and founded a new community of women called the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. They prayed together and helped anyone who needed kindness.

Francesca hoped to travel to China, but everything changed when she met Pope Leo XIII. He listened to her plans and then surprised her. He said, “Not East. Go West. Go to the United States and help the immigrants who are arriving there.” Francesca was afraid of deep water, but she listened. She boarded a ship, crossed the ocean, and stepped into a new life with courage.

In the United States she found many immigrant families who were lonely and struggling. Mother Cabrini opened schools so children could learn. She built hospitals so families could receive care. She created orphanages so children without parents would have a home. She looked for the people who felt forgotten and began her work with them.

Mother Cabrini teaches us that courage grows from trusting God and choosing love again and again. Her life reminds us to look for those who feel alone and to believe that God can do something beautiful through each of us.

FUN FACTS

She made little paper boats as a child and pretended to send them to faraway places.
She founded sixty seven schools, hospitals, and orphanages around the world.
She became the first American citizen to be declared a saint.
People called her “Mother Cabrini” because she cared for others like a mother.

Family Activity

Make a “Welcome Basket” for a new neighbor or family in need. Include snacks, soap, socks, or a handwritten card. Mother Cabrini teaches us that welcoming others a powerful act of love.