Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Starting the Seminary Year with a Pilgrimage!

St. Joseph’s Seminary students begin their school year with a visit to the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine in NYC.

Continuing a four-year tradition, on Tuesday afternoon the students from St. Joseph’s Seminary began the 2026 school year with a pilgrimage to St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York City.

For most of the men it was their first visit to the Shrine. In addition to learning about Mother Cabrini and celebrating Mass, they spent time in prayer, visited Mother Cabrini’s bench, and asked plenty of questions. We love having them here and also love that almost every priest who has been ordained in recent years has subsequently brought his parish to the Shrine on pilgrimage!

Please pray for these fine men as they discern their vocations.

 

 

St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine – An Oasis of Rest and Reflection

The perpetual pilgrims of the St. Frances Cabrini route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage arrived bright and early on Tuesday, June 16 for a day of rest and reflection.

The nine young adults, their chaplain, and a handful of support staff celebrated Mass, had a private Holy Hour, heard a talk about Mother Cabrini, and then were given a retreat by Fr. Pierre Toussaint, CFR. There was time for a visit to Mother Cabrini’s bench and for conversation over dinner. Please continue to pray for these good people who are dedicating six weeks of their lives, all day every day, to bring Jesus to the streets of towns and cities along the East coast. Their journey will conclude in Philadelphia on the 4th of July weekend.

Sacred Heart Feast Day Celebrations 2026

Throughout the Guadalupe Province and the MSC Institute, on Friday, June 12th, the Feast of the Sacred Heart was observed with special Masses and celebrations by the Missionary Sisters, Cabrini Lay Missionaries, lay collaborators, volunteers, alumni, benefactors and friends.

 

St. Cabrini Nursing Home, Dobbs Ferry, NY

Missionary Sisters in residence and on mission at St. Cabrini Nursing Home attended a special Feast Day Mass, the blessing of a Sacred Heart banner and  enjoyed a luncheon gathering.

 

 

 

 

Cabrini Health, Australia

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a profound moment each year where Cabrini Australia feels at one with Cabrini’s ministries globally. We are acutely aware that Sr Theresa Cervasio is the lone Missionary Sister in Australia and we strive to surround her with love overflowing. At our Feast Day Mass Sister Theresa renewed her vows in front of Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and Cabrini Board member, Fr Tony Kerin (see attached). Sr Theresa prayed: May the Holy Spirit transform this consecration of mine into a commitment of love, an offering of praise, adoration and reparation in the Cabrinian spirit, so that I may bring the love of the heart of Jesus to the world.

Following Sister Theresa’s renewal, Cabrini staff and volunteers affirmed our commitment to carry on our shared mission, celebrate Mother Cabrini’s life as our inspiration, and bring God’s love to the world by providing exceptional care for our patients, the community and each other.

All of this was summed up by Fr Tony’s beautiful words in his homily: People come to Cabrini for more than just excellent healthcare. It reinforced for all of us what is special about Cabrini…we care about people not just for them.

 

 

 

Mother Cabrini Shrine, Golden, CO

Mother Cabrini Shrine welcomed the community for two days of prayer and celebration in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11 and 12.

The celebration began in partnership with the Archdiocese of Denver as Catholics joined others across the nation in the Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The day included Adoration, confessions, a bilingual Liturgy of the Word, the Consecration Prayer, a procession, and benediction.

The following evening, the Shrine’s annual Feast of the Sacred Heart Mass was celebrated in both English and Spanish, bringing together familiar faces and first-time visitors alike. Seven priests concelebrated the liturgy, and three Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart renewed their vows: Sister Alice Zanon, MSC; Sister Bernadette Anello, MSC; and Sister Meseret Naba, MSC. Music from a combined choir of the Shrine’s three Sunday liturgies added to the beauty of the celebration.

Following Mass, guests participated in a procession to the Sacred Heart statue overlooking Denver—a new addition to the Feast Day observance. The evening concluded with Benediction and a reception at the Shrine.
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Together in prayer, the community honored the Sacred Heart of Jesus and prayed for God’s blessings upon their families, communities, and nation. The Shrine looks forward to continuing this special tradition in the years ahead. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us and bless our nation.

Click here to view photos from the celebration:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/141021425@N02/albums/

 

National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Chicago, IL

At the National Shrine, Bishop Daniel Turley, OSA, presided over the Feast Day Mass. Sr. Joaquina Costa, MSC and Sr. Laura Baldini, MSC renewed their vows. A light reception followed the Mass. ~ submitted by Laurie Halaska, Executive Director, National Shrine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine, New York, NY 

St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York held a family night in honor of the Sacred Heart. The goal was to bring Catholic families together and teach kids a bit about devotion to the Sacred Heart. Crafts, gentle catechesis, a bit of prayer time and then a barbecue were all part of the program.

A huge tent was already set up on the lawn for the Cabrini Immigrant Services fundraiser scheduled for the next day, so we ate fresh-grilled hot dogs and hamburgers beneath it. Then God did something utterly magnificent: He sent a rainstorm. It was tremendous, stupendous, and utterly irresistible. The 25+ children squealed with glee and, almost as one, darted out onto the grass to dance in the rain. They ran in circles. They raced in and out of the tent, shouted to each other, held their mouths open to the sky to drink in the gift. It was joy, pure joy.

The parents were transfixed by their children’s exultation. Moms began to talk to moms, and dads to dads. “They will always remember this,” one mother said to another, “the time they were under the big white tent and danced in the rain.” Yes, our programming created connection, but God had a much bigger vision of what was possible.

We do not, alas, have a single photo of the event. All eyes and hearts were so busy relishing the experience that not one parent took a photo.

 

 

Prayers for the Perpetual Pilgrims

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage kicked off on Sunday, May 24. Each of the perpetual pilgrims on the St. Frances Cabrini Route will be carrying with them a second-class relic of Mother Cabrini, a gift from St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York. The Shrine has committed to praying for the nine perpetual pilgrims — Cheyenne Johnson, Zach Dotson, Marcel Ferrer, Sharon Phillips, Eduardo Gutierrez, Angelina Marconi, Raymond Martinez II, Mary Carmen Zakrajsek and John Paul Flynn — until the six-week walking pilgrimage ends in Philadelphia on July 4, the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding.

Although the Shrine is not a public stop on the pilgrimage route, the perpetual pilgrims will make a private retreat here during the 3rd week of June. We are honored to welcome these young, faithful Catholics, whose dedication to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament would certainly please Mother Cabrini!

Neighbors Who Sing!

Last fall, the Washington Heights Community Choir began to rehearse at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine. This non-audition choir of 80 locals bri ngs joy, and a true neighborhood feel to the
chapel. As we’ve gotten to know them, we’ve discovered new areas of common interest and a new pool of volunteers.

The choir’s repertoire ranges from sacred music to art songs to folksongs. They present four free concerts each year. Pictured here is their spring concert held on Tuesday, May 12.

First Concert of the Season on the Lawn

Sixth, seventh and eighth graders from a public school in Harlem provided. St. Frances Cabrini Shrine’s first outdoor concert of 2026 on May 7.

The Mott Hall Symphonic Orchestra, composed of about 26 youth, played a mix of jazz, classical music, and adaptations of popular songs. The weather cooperated, and proud parents and curious
neighbors enjoyed an evening al fresco.

A Loud, Happy Celebration!

Tuba, trumpets, drums, clarinets, and mountains of flowers accompanied the faithful in a celebration in honor of St. Michael the Archangel at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York on the morning of May 8. The procession and Mass were organized by a group of men who attend the Shrine’s regular Spanish Mass.

The music began in the park down the street, prompting curious neighbors to emerge from their buildings, and children to race to the windows of the adjacent school.

The festive Mass was followed by a feast on the Shrine’s lawn of homemade tamales, pozole, and other Mexican specialties.

The Perfect Spot for a Peace Prayer

 

Pope Leo XIV asked the world to join him in praying a rosary for peace on Saturday, April 11. A handful of regulars at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine thought the perfect place to do that was on Mother Cabrini’s bench! Clear blue skies, sunshine, and spring temperatures made it a beautiful time of prayer.

Cabrini Cares Day Spurs Action

On Saturday, February 21 a group of about 30 people from five parishes and the surrounding neighborhood gathered at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York City for the first Cabrini Cares Day. The topic was helping the homeless. Pietro Bartoli of the Community of Sant’Egidio spoke about the scope of the housing problem in New York, its causes, and how everyday people can engage those who are, in his words, “Having the worst day of their life almost every day.”

Questions flew almost as fast as practical tips and ideas. Pietro noted that the most important thing we can do is to live up to our Christian calling to look at each person as a human being. “Yours may be the only smile that person receives all day,” he said. Tips offered by other participants included:
• If you offer someone a granola bar and they refuse, don’t be offended. You wouldn’t take it personally if you offered a friend food and they said no. And you don’t know if the person has already eaten ten granola bars in the past two days.
• Set yourself a policy on how you’re going to handle requests and stick to it. That way you’re not faced with a decision (and temptation) every time you’re asked.
• If you choose to give money, do it without strings or judgment attached.


At the close of the session participants put together 100 hygiene kits and 100 warming kits. Everyone took as many kits as they thought they could hand out. The remainder were given to the Community of Sant’Egidio, which does outreach to the homeless twice a week.

The group will meet again to do role-playing on how to engage the homeless, and to create additional kits.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Greetings from St. F.X. Cabrini Shrine, NYC

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated on December 12, honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 on Tepeyac Hill near present-day Mexico City. According to tradition, Mary offered words of compassion and solidarity, asking that a church be built so she could share God’s love with all people, especially the poor and marginalized. As a sign of her presence, she left her image miraculously imprinted on Juan Diego’s tilma, a sacred relic still venerated today in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This feast has become a powerful symbol of faith, cultural identity, and hope throughout the Americas, drawing millions of pilgrims each year who come to honor “La Morenita” and to seek her intercession.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of this province of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and includes the MSC ministries located in Australia, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the United States of America.

1260 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: 484-581-7163   Fax: 484-581-7164
info@mothercabrini.org