In 1880, with seven other young women, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Shortly thereafter, Pope Leo XIII asked her to go to America to help with the care of the many new immigrants to New York. Although Mother Cabrini had always hoped to go to China as a missionary, she did as the Pope asked her.
Mother Cabrini arrived in New York in March, 1889.
Immediately on her arrival she visited Archbishop Corrigan
and told him of her plans to start an orphanage. The
Archbishop was doubtful that this newly arrived woman could
overcome all the problems involved in starting such an
institution and tried to dissuade her. With her unshakeable
faith in God Mother Cabrini started her orphanage anyway.
She won over the Archbishop and together they began raising
money. By July, 1889, Mother Cabrini had managed to buy 450
acres along the Hudson river. For weeks the Sisters had to
haul water from the river, but after praying to Our Lady, a
natural spring was discovered on the property. God always
rewarded Mother Cabrini's faith.
For the next 28 years Mother Cabrini travelled throughout
America founding schools, hospitals, and orphanages.
Although most of her work was done in New York, Chicago,
Seattle, and New Orleans, she also founded institutions in
many countries throughout South America and Europe. She
never allowed obstacles to stand in her way. At various
times she had to deal with revolutions in South America,
lawsuits in Italy, lack of funds, and at times opposition
from other members of the clergy. In every city she started
with nothing and prayed, begged, and cajoled for the rest.
This great faith is reflected in the many stories told
about Mother Cabrini. One such story tells how she got the
property for her orphanage in Seattle. One night Mother
Cabrini had a dream in which she saw a beautiful house on a
hilltop. The next day Mother Cabrini and some sisters were
walking when Mother Cabrini waved down a chauffeur-driven
limo and asked for a ride. The lady in the limo was happy to
help the sisters, and on the way, Mother Cabrini spoke of
the house she had dreamed of. When they arrived at the
convent and were saying goodbye, the lady told her: "Mother
Cabrini, that house you dreamed of is mine, I own it. I
never thought of parting with it, but if I may be allowed to
enter your Holy House for a moment and receive a glass of
water in the name of Our Lord, your little orphans shall
have their home with my blessing.". When asked
later how she had obtained such a beautiful property, Mother
Cabrini would say "I paid for it with three
treasures: my love, a dream, and a glass of water in His
Name."
Mother Cabrini was not a strong person physically, but
she had a great inner strength. She had an unbending belief
and trust in God. Throughout her life and in all her many
undertakings, she always knew that God would provide for her
and the many schools, hospitals, orphanages, and missions
which she founded.
In 1909 Mother Cabrini became an American citizen. Mother
Cabrini died in Chicago on December 22, 1917. Her remains
are laid to rest in Mother Cabrini High School at 701 Fort
Washington Avenue in the Bronx, New York. It is now a place
of pilgrimage.
Mother Cabrini was beatified in 1938 and canonized a
saint in 1946.
During her life, Saint Frances Cabrini founded 67
schools, hospitals, orphanages, and missions, one for every
year in her life. |
