Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Bringing Christ's love to the world
Recently on the EWTN program The World Over hosted by Raymond Arroyo, Eustace Wolfington, the executive producer of the recent film Cabrini (2024), talks about the successful initiative to show the movie in Catholic schools in Philadelphia in order to spread the message of Mother Cabrini. The plans are to bring this initiative throughout the schools and parishes of the United States and beyond.
To watch the film clip, please click here
CABRINI Comes to Dobbs Ferry, NY
It’s show time! Tuesday, April 23rd was a sensational day at Cabrini of Westchester! A special showing of the movie, “Cabrini” released in theaters
on March 8th was shown to the residents of the nursing home, thanks to the movie’s producers! There was excitement in the air as residents and their families gathered in Cabrini’s chapel to watch this brilliant film about the life of Mother Cabrini.
Zachary DeCarlo, a member of the “Cabrini” movie team and a relative of the producer, Eustace Wolfington, spearheaded the efforts in bringing the film to the nursing home and coordinated with the Administration and Information Technology Departments to have a large screen, projector and speakers delivered for the viewing.
He shared the story about how Mr. Wolfington was inspired to create the movie and his devotion to Mother Cabrini throughout the years. “Eustace encountered Mother Cabrini as a 23-year-old man in Philadelphia. In his search for a church where he could attend Mass, he discovered St. Donato’s Parish where the pastor was offering a Novena to Mother Cabrini. Thus began his lifelong commitment to following her teachings which culminated in the production of this wonderful movie.”
Heartfelt applause resounded throughout the chapel at the conclusion of the movie. Those who were unable to attend the showing in the chapel were able to watch the film in the comfort of their rooms via television
On May 1st, Fr. Ron Galt, Vice President of Mission and Pastoral Care, coordinated a “Post Cabrini Movie Conversation” where a number of residents and staff gathered in the chapel to share their thoughts about how the movie impacted them not only as an individual, but as a member of the Cabrini family.
“It was inspiring how courageous and smart Mother Cabrini was! She would not take “no” for an answer!” exclaimed resident, Justin Vaccaro.
“Watching her voyages back and forth to Italy reminded me of how my grandmother came to this country and what she had to endure on the ship that brought her here,” said volunteer and family member Joyce Devons.
Sr. Veronica Piccone, MSC, was in attendance to share her insight and provide background information to the events that took place in the movie. When asked what she would say to Mother Cabrini if she had the chance to speak with her today, she said, “I would say, Mother Cabrini, you bought this property here in Dobbs Ferry to care for orphans. Today, it’s a beautiful nursing home where I’m sure you would be proud of the excellent care that the residents receive each and every day.”
After meeting with widespread acclaim in the United States, most recently, the CABRINI film made its debut in Guatemala. [This was] a special activity which we could share with the team of both our clinics, as well as the beneficiaries of our programs, our collaborators, associates, and people linked to our work.
On this occasion, with approximately 250 participants, we also conducted a cinema forum or engaged in an analysis of the film during which we could talk about the current migrant situation and the role of women in the transformation of the world.
The Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) of the Guadalupe Province, met via Zoom to discuss the movie, Cabrini. Since the movie has opened, we have received many inquiries about the CLMs.
At our April CLM meeting, we invited the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart along with the men and women who have shown an interest in becoming CLMs, to talk about the movie. We had a very lively discussion! Everyone agreed that it was a very powerful movie. The movie piqued an interest to learn more about Mother Cabrini. Many found themselves asking, “What more can I do?”
Many of our CLMs and those who are interested in becoming CLMs were finding ways to collaborate with each other to help others in need. What a wonderful way to spread the love of Jesus. Cabrini, the movie, has certainly touched many hearts.
On Thursday, April 18th, a capacity crowd filled the retreat room at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in Upper Manhattan to hear Executive Director, Julia Attaway, give a talk on what was real in the Cabrini movie and what was “reel.”
For many, it was their first time at the Shrine. The local Lutheran church sent a group,
two women took the subway in from Brooklyn, and several curious neighbors came as well. It was a lively evening, and real fun.
On Saturday, April 6th, Cabrini University alumni, faculty, staff, and friends gathered at the Regal Theatre in King of Prussia, PA, for a special showing of the CABRINI film. Hollie Havens, Cabrini College, Class of 1998, was the creative force spearheading the event.
Many, many members of the Cabrini University community, whose lives have been indelibly touched by Mother Cabrini and her “education of the heart” attended the film event, proudly wearing their Cabrini gear to celebrate our Patroness and inspiration.
With the closure of Cabrini University this spring, opportunities to come together as one to celebrate our heritage and our friendships are precious. We will continue to look to Mother Cabrini to keep us united and our bonds, strong in the future.
Classic films about saints, like “The Song of Bernadette” and “A Man for All Seasons” and more recent releases like Abel Ferrara’s “Padre Pio” and Alejandro Monteverde’s “Cabrini,” take their cues from traditional hagiographies, bringing grandiose renderings of the lives of these holy men and women to the screen.
“Cabrini,” for instance, produced by Angel Studios follows the traditional model of hagiography, placing Francesca Cabrini’s heroic feats front and center in order to inspire viewers to emulate her laudable example. John Anderson’s glowing review of the film for America described Cabrini, “Portrayed by a gauntly radiant Cristiana Dell’Anna,” as one practiced in “speaking truth to power and doing so relentlessly.” The religious sister journeys to New York at the time of “an explosion circa 1887 of Italian immigration, prejudice and poverty [that] was creating a particular kind of hell for their exported countrymen.”
Against immense challenges, Cabrini and her order, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, go on to found missions, orphanages, and hospitals in New York, and as the film’s coda tells us, around the country and eventually around the world.
Yet new trends among more recent accounts of the saints have been changing the narrative, focusing on oft-ignored and more mundane aspects of their personal lives. Two new films on the lives of Mother Seton and Mother Cabrini, produced by the New Jersey based couple MaryLou and Jerome Bongiorno and released on PBS over the past week and a half, are placing the spotlight on lesser-emphasized aspects of these holy women’s lives.
Known best for their documentaries on matters of socioeconomic and racial justice and Catholic education in Newark, NJ, the Bongiornos decided to venture into telling the stories of these two women who, they state, have deeply inspired them spiritually and professionally.
Narrated in the first-person and weaving together a creative mix of photos, painting and drawings, the documentaries’ scripts draw upon writings by and about the two saints, as well as other historical documents. The films provide a comprehensive view of their lives, including details about their childhoods, their entry into religious life, the founding of their respective missions and the conflicts they confronted, and – perhaps what is most compelling – bits of streams of consciousness style, introspective reflections on their work and their relationship with God. The Bongiornos combine their extensive research with their artistic and spiritual creativity in these moments, reflecting the ways that these saints spoke to them and may also speak to us.
Such accounts of the lives of the saints remind me that even people like me – can become saints. We often forget that the measure of sanctity does not lie in our capacity for perfection or moral coherence. Rather, it resides in the sincerity with which we offer our full selves – including our strengths and weaknesses, our likes and dislikes – to God for him to use for his glory.
To read the full account, please click here
Many laughs, cheers, and tears, were shared as Missionary Sisters and friends joined Cabrini Mission Foundation for a private screening of the Cabrini movie on Thursday, March 7th at the Union Square Regal Theatre in New York City.
Attendees enjoyed artisanal pizza and salads provided by La Lanterna di Vittorio as everyone shared their anticipation for the movie. With fresh popcorn in-hand, viewers got to witness the story of Mother Cabrini on the silver screen. A sneak peak of Andrea and Virginia Boccelli’s new song, “Dare to Be” was shown at the end of the movie.
As the curtains closed on the evening’s festivities, attendees left with hearts full of inspiration and gratitude, eager to share the transformative experience of the Cabrini movie with others. With the movie now released to the public, the opportunity to follow in her footsteps awaits all who are moved.
We are grateful to everyone who volunteered, donated, and made the night a special event.
The Cabrini movie is out now! Click the link here to find theatres and movie times near you: https://www.angel.com/movies/cabrini
In the Guadalupe Province Communications Office, a typical week will bring 30 – 40 e-messages via the info@mothercabrini.org which is the ‘Contact Us’ link on the homepage of the www.mothercabrini.org website. We hear from people all over the world requesting prayers; asking for Cabrini relics, holy cards; or inquiring about the ministries of the Missionary Sisters.
Since the debut of the CABRINI film, last week the Communications Office received well over 200 emails from people sharing their reactions to the film. Many people wrote of their family’s lifelong devotion to Mother Cabrini and shared their own immigrant stories. Here is a sampling:
I’ve just watched the Cabrini movie and have read everything online; I am fascinated with this woman and her commitment to Christ. ~ A.S.
My interest and devotion to Mother Cabrini has been sparked by the movie “Cabrini”. When my brother was born in 1939, at birth his leg was wrapped around his neck. The doctors said he may never walk, and if that was possible, he would always have a limp. My mother worked untiringly with his leg and prayed to Mother Cabrini. He is five years older than me. I never remember him walking with any distortion or limp. ~ J.S.
Hello! I am reaching out to find out more about Mother Cabrini. My maiden name is Cabrini, but I know next to nothing about any familial connection. In the late 70’s and early 80’s my mother sought to trace any relations but was not successful. Unfortunately, as so often happens, all of my relatives who may have any knowledge have passed. I am honored to share this surname whatever the case but would love to know more about Mother Cabrini’s family. I do know that my ancestors came from the Lombardy region. ~ S.C.C.
Now that so many people have gotten a first glimpse of your foundress through the “Cabrini” movie, they are asking, “How can I get to know her better?” Please recommend some resources. ~ K.H.
We know that the movie Cabrini is moving the hearts of so many. ~ S.C.
Took my wife and son to see the Cabrini film. We loved it, and personally as a proud Italian American whose Great Grandfather came to NY in 1903, I cried some, too. ~ B.P.
The Communications Office has responded to everyone who has taken the time to write to thank them for their feedback and for sharing their own Cabrini stories.
I
n celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, the long-awaited and much-anticipated CABRINI movie will make its debut tomorrow in theaters across the United States.
The story of our patroness, Mother Cabrini, is being brought to life through a film directed by Alejandro Monteverde and Executive Producers. J. Eustace Wolfington and Eduardo Verástegui.
The movie tells the story of Mother Cabrini, who after witnessing disease and poverty in the slums of New York, embarks on a daring journey to persuade the hostile New York City mayor to provide housing and healthcare for hundreds of orphaned children.
Cabrini film producer Jonathan Sanger said he wants [people] to keep this thought in mind as they view the film:
“The lesson of the movie is that we all need to do more. She became the [patron] saint of immigrants and we’re living in a situation and a time where immigration is a huge issue worldwide. The movie is very contemporary…it’s about exactly what’s happening today, as much as it was a lot about what was happening at the turn of the century.” ~ WKBW 7 ABC Buffalo
To watch a trailer of the film, click here