Mother Cabrini, in passing through Colorado, described this region:
“At every moment, the landscape changes: austere mountains whose peaks are white with glittering snow; hills all verdant with pines and roseate by reason of the color of the rocks and the soil; sharp peaks that seem to touch the sky where only the eagle nests…”
Thus, it was here, at the Mother Cabrini Shrine, nestled in Golden, at the foothills of the Rockies, that Cabrini University alums embarked upon a pilgrimage. It was the first time that such a trip had been organized by the CAVS Alumni Association, and we were delighted that ten alums – spanning many years of graduation – embarked on travels to Colorado to walk in the footsteps of Mother Cabrini.
Warmly welcomed by JoAnn Seaman, Executive Director of the Shrine, and her wonderful staff and volunteers, our group stayed in the Stone House which was originally designed by Mother Cabrini and which served as a summer residence for the orphans cared for by the Missionary Sisters. The alums were awestruck by the commanding views of Denver and the surrounding area that could be seen from the Stone House.
Our visit commenced with an orientation presented by Sr. Alice Zanon, MSC, which provided an historical context for our visit. Then, it was off to explore all the wonders of the Shrine property: the beautifully curated museum, the grotto, the Cabrini Gardens and the spring where Mother Cabrini first discovered water on the property that formerly had been dry. (The spring has never stopped flowing.)
The big challenge was to climb the 373 steps to the top of the mountain to visit the statue of the Sacred Heart and to view the stone heart first created by the orphans during the time of Mother Cabrini. Mission accomplished!
The weekend provided time for group reflection along with celebrations of the 80th Anniversary of St. Cabrini’s canonization and her birthday. A festive dinner with the Shrine staff and volunteers, a liturgical concert and an uplifting Sunday morning liturgy were highlights. Much too soon, our visit ended with the intention to return again. Our sincere gratitude to everyone at the Shrine for making us feel so welcome.
