Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Cabrini

The feature length film will simply be called “Cabrini.”

Before completing the script, executive producer J. Eustace Wolfington and screenwriter Rod Barr read 22 books on the life of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and spent time in the Vatican archives. They discovered that Mother Cabrini personally lobbied Pope Leo XIII to found her own missionary order of women religious independent of any priest, a first. When Pope Leo saw her coming he would simply [exclaim] “Cabrini,” according to Wolfington.

And that’s how the film got its title.

The hard part followed. Some $30 million needed to be raised and now with a completed script, casting can begin in March 2021.

“I would like to get across her leadership, organizational and entrepreneurial skills,” Wolfington said.

Mother Cabrini and six sisters arrived in New York City on March 31, 1889 and were turned down by Archbishop Corrigan for financial assistance and were told to return to Italy. Cabrini was also prohibited from raising funds outside the Italian community which was poor. She was shrewd enough to go to the press, which exposed the plight of the Italian immigrants to be pathetic, with many orphan children living in subhuman conditions. Then [donations] poured in and she founded orphanages, schools and hospitals.

“She had a way with people to get them on board with her vision,” said Monsignor Paul Bochicchio, now a senior priest at St. Francis Church in Hoboken, NJ, and who serves on the film’s committee.

The film will have a possible release date later next year on her November 13 feast day or in 2022.
To read the complete article, please click here

 

 

 

We Celebrate the Feast Day of St. Frances X. Cabrini

Complex personality factors combined to make Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini an outstanding woman of her era. Without doubt she possessed that intangible element known as charisma. Only a charismatic personality could have attracted so many followers and captivated the attention of both the powerful and lowly of this world.

Cabrini was a modern woman. Her interests were extensive. She certainly did not adapt readily to the role expected of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century women religious. She was an entrepreneur and world traveler, keenly aware of the currents of thought in the world of her time. Cabrini foresaw the twentieth century as one of revolution and tailored her philosophy of education, healthcare, and social service to accentuate the intrinsic value and dignity of each human being touched by her Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

Frances Cabrini became an American citizen. Quite possibly, she may have taken the decision to become a naturalized citizen to secure the extensive property holdings of the Institute of the Missionary Sisters to be able to cross national boundaries with greater facility.

Her struggles presage those we experience in this century. To wit, in 1915, when Mother Cabrini decided to expand her works in Seattle with the purchase of the Perry Hotel, which she planned to transform into a foundling home, a violent controversy broke out. Allied against Cabrini were neighbors, bankers, and jealous spectators, who did not want Italian sisters to purchase the building. Clearly, the primary objection to Cabrini’s purchase of the Perry Hotel was prejudice and discrimination based on her gender, her religion, national origin, and her mission: she had come to minister to Italian immigrants who at the time were the most detested group in society. A memoir of the Missionary Sisters in Seattle records: “Businessmen eager for profit, financiers and bankers agreed that the Perry would make a good speculative investment and couldn’t bear to see such an elegant building transformed into a foundling home – by a sister – and this one an Italian.” Never mind that Mother Cabrini had become a naturalized citizen in Seattle six years prior.

In spite of the antagonism, Mother Cabrini was always one to continue her course. She obtained the bill of sale for the Perry Hotel on April 16, 1915. Then the onslaught of all parties began anew. John L. Corrigan, a Seattle attorney, noted that Cabrini “never faltered or wavered in carrying out her plans and she overcame obstacles that would have disheartened the bravest of human hearts with a supreme confidence that edified and inspired everyone who came in contact with her.”
~ from Mother Cabrini, Italian Immigrant of the Century, by Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, MSC, PhD

 

Frances Cabrini Day Makes Its Debut

As many know by now, Monday, October 5 was the inaugural Frances Cabrini Day in the state of Colorado. Earlier this year, Governor Jared Polis signed into law House Bill 1031, which designates a paid state holiday named after St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Cabrini Day is also the first paid state holiday named for a woman. While the Missionary Sisters and the Shrine were not a part of the legislative development of Cabrini Day, we were eager to celebrate our beloved saint and share her legacy.

The first Cabrini Day at Mother Cabrini Shrine was a joyous, beautiful Colorado fall day. Even during these challenging days of Covid-19, many first time and returning visitors alike came to the Shrine wearing their masks, and while social distancing were able to celebrate and honor Mother Cabrini and learn more about her life of love and service and her dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In a touching message on Cabrini Day, Frances Owens, the former First Lady of Colorado, commented:
Mother Cabrini is special in our family not only because she is my namesake, but also that of my granddaughter, Sofia Frances. Coincidentally, Sofia was born on December 22nd – and Mother Cabrini died on December 22nd!
I am so honored that my parents named me Frances; and that my daughter and son-in-law chose to include it as Sofie’s middle name

Multiple media outlets and social media sites covered this historic day and interviewed some of the Missionary Sisters. We look forward to future Cabrini Day celebrations!

For a TV interview with Sr. Lucy Panettieri, MSC, click here

For a TV interview with Sr. Lucy Panettieri, MSC and Sr. Roselle Santivasi, MSC click here

For a newspaper interview with Sr. Roselle Santivasi, MSC in The Gazette click here

For a column in the Denver Post click here

For a magazine article in Denver Catholic click here

Mother Cabrini’s 170th Birthday – July 15th

Mother Frances X. Cabrini was, without a doubt one of the great navigators of her time, always sailing between one wave and another, in search of refugees in order to show them the way to a better land: the Kingdom of God.

As a child, Mother Cabrini was already dreaming of traveling to distant places, missionary lands beyond the seas to minister to the immigrants, the marginalized, the poor and the desperate.

Despite much hostility, Francesca strove to follow her difficult and noble ideal: to extend the Kingdom of God to be God’s co-worker in the wonderful work of the salvation of souls. This great dream led her, over the course of years, to undertake numerous journeys around the world, driven by the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for all those abandoned people and immigrants – who through circumstances known and unknown had wandered far from Him.

Mother Cabrini herself was amazed at how the Heart of Jesus worked through her since she considered herself “a poor instrument in His hands” and said, “the Heart of Jesus goes so fast and does so many things that I can barely keep up with Him.” This gives a glimpse of her intimate relationship with Jesus which led her, guided her, motivated her and gave success to her undertakings.

From the moment of the approval of the Institute of the Missionary Sisters on March 12, 1888, the missionary and apostolic activity of Mother Cabrini assumed a dizzying rhythm that never ceased. Jesus strengthened her to cross the ocean many times in order to announce to everyone, in words and deeds, how great is His love for every human being.

Her charity knew no limits. Whenever she saw a person in need, she stopped and approached the person with love and tenderness.

The work of Mother Cabrini is nearing 150 years of history. Her life and work are not static, but dynamic and constantly expanding through the spiritual, apostolic and missionary actions of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and their lay collaborators.

~ excerpts from Frances Cabrini, Remembering the Journey

FAITH MARCH 4 JUSTICE

 

Sunday, June 7th was a beautiful day in a variety of ways. [In the Upper Manhattan neighborhood by the St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine] about 200 people of diverse ages and backgrounds turned out for the Faith March 4 Justice. The goal of the Faith March was to provide young people with a way to channel their frustration and hope about racism into faith rather than anger.

The group arrived at the Shrine singing Amazing Grace, accompanied by the police, and many neighbors stopped to listen. The clergy and people stood outside the Shrine wall, underneath the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

One of the priests said that walls are often perceived as a sign of division, and yet, the wall of the Temple in Jerusalem is the holiest site for Jewish people, where they unite in prayer. Then the clergy, representing a variety of denominations, took turns leading the people in prayer. It was peaceful and reverent.

We are very thankful to nearby St. Elizabeth’s Parish for including us in this event. We had refreshments on the porch of the Shrine, where social distancing was easily possible and fresh air, abundant.

A Feast Day Message from the Provincial

November 13, 2019

Dear Sisters and those co-responsible with us in Mission,

[Yesterday] we celebrated the Feast of Mother Cabrini. In these recent days I have had various experiences which have touched my heart and soul – a gift of Jesus and Mother Cabrini on her feast

• ➢ I listened to a webinar from an organization called “No more deaths” during which they spoke of a member of the organization who was being charged with a felony simply because he provided compassionate care to two undocumented migrants he discovered in the desert. I asked myself: What has become to the moral fabric of the USA that we would criminalize compassion?

• ➢ I listened to Sr. Yolanda, MSC who returned from a meeting in Matamoros, Mexico of those organizations who give assistance to migrants along the USA-Mexico Border. My heart was filled with hope as I heard of the generous service of so many volunteers and organizations who day by day offer care and compassion to our suffering brothers and sisters. My heart was also full of deep sadness that the immigration policies of the USA have created a humanitarian crisis for hundreds perhaps thousands of men, women and children who are stranded along the Mexican border. They are living in tents, inhumane conditions, without adequate food or health care. The tragedy is the number of children! They can’t go forward and they have no money to go back home! At that moment we made a decision to try to partner with one organization who is providing much needed help.

➢ Yesterday, Sr. Antonina, Sr. Pietrina and myself joined staff and clients from CIS of NYC, together with the New York Immigration Coalition, to go to Washington, D.C. to stand in solidarity with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) young adult recipients as they persevered in their struggle to gain a path to citizenship. We also met a group from Cabrini University!
For years this group of young people have lived in constant uncertainty that their status would change and they could be deported. The persistent hope and courage of those who are DACA recipients as well as those who fight for their cause was an incredible witness. Once again, the question surfaced in me: How is it that a nation formed and built by immigrants is now so closed to immigrants?

➢ Finally, today I listened to a webinar offered by the UISG (International Union of General Superiors) which shared the challenges, vision and horizon of CLAR (Confederation of Latin American and Caribbean Religious) for consecrated religious life for the years 2018-2021. There were many themes that confirmed our Provincial Chapter outcomes. What touched my heart was the vital call to be witnesses of Communion and Hope based on our belief in Jesus and to continue to live with enthusiasm the gift of our consecrated life as missionary disciples. We are further called to weave relationships that foster communion, reconciliation, inclusivity, and compassion. Finally, we are called to renew our option for the vulnerable and excluded of our world. For those who understand Spanish, I encourage you to go to www.clar.org and look under “Horizonte Inspirador” for more resources around these themes.

As I live these various moments, I find myself called to conversion. It is not enough for me to see or to hear/listen but my heart must be “moved to compassion” and action. Going to Washington, D.C. was one small action but I and we are called daily to go out of ourselves in love. When we go out the door of our room, our heart, our minds let us be credible witnesses – missionary disciples of God’s love in the world. If we do this – we give honor to God and honor the memory of Mother Cabrini.

Happy Feast Day!
United in the Heart of our loving God!
Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC , Provincial, Guadalupe Province

Drawing Inspiration from Our Foundress

They will draw water from the source…

From different countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua we have reached Codogno, the cradle of the Institute, to delve into the spirituality of our Foundress. In the company of the sisters María Barbagallo, Regina Canale, Lucy Panettieri and Gilda Mendoza, in the first week we deepened the gift that the Lord has given us. We are thirsty to drink from the source that gave rise to our Cabrinian being and that has given us our missionary identity. We have been given the following topics: the Person of Jesus, the School of the Heart of Jesus, Christian Virtues, Cabrinian Vision of life and the history, foundations in Italy, the Great Mothers, Mysticism of the change of hearts.

As part of our studies and with a grateful heart we visited Sant’Angelo, Vidardo, Livraga … How much emotion invaded our being in the birthplace of Our Mother! With how much enthusiasm each one put in the river the small paper boats full of flowers, as did “Cecchina”, sending us as missionaries to the whole world and praying for new violets for our Institute !

Towards the end of the week, a rich and unforgettable experience awaited us: we had to open our hearts to share the treasures of our “personal Galilee”, that is, that first call made by Jesus in a sweet “follow me! ” The first to share were: Mother Lina Colombini, Sr. Elena Lo Brutto and Sr. Francesca Cremonese, who with their testimonies motivated us and inspired us to continue living the Cabrinian Charism, to the rhythm of Love, that is to say ardently and swiftly. All the MSC Sisters of Codogno have taught us, even without words, that the Charism is the way to love, to dream, to serve today in that corner of the world where the Lord wanted to put us.

We feel very happy and grateful to the Lord, with our sisters from Codogno, from Sant’Angelo and with each of our Provinces for allowing us to live this unforgettable experience. It has been a rich, intense week, full of enthusiasm and gratitude to get closer to Our Foundress whose experience became Charism … and that Charism made its way!

“Oh my Jesus: how kind, good and adorable you are.

Greater is the care that You take of me and my things.” (PP Mother Cabrini)

Mother Cabrini Highest Vote Getter in She Built NYC Statue Contest

~by Katie Honan, WALL STREET JOURNAL

Across New York City, there are nearly 150 statues that honor men and just five dedicated to women.

A citywide initiative plans to shift the ratio and will start with a statue of Shirley Chisholm, the first black congresswoman in the U.S., who represented New York’s 12 congressional district which at the time was centered in Brooklyn.

The statue honoring Ms. Chisholm who ran for president in 1972, is the first selected through a city-led initiative called She Built NYC, which was created to commission a public monument or piece of art that honors women’s history.

In June, the city asked New Yorkers to submit nominations of inspirational and influential women. They received 326 eligible nominations representing a diverse list of women, from celebrities to schoolteachers to suffragettes.

The woman who received the most nominations through She Built NYC was St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, known as Mother Cabrini, who founded the Missionary Sisters and was a supporter of Italian immigrants. Author and activist Jane Jacobs came in second, and Ms. Chisholm came in third. [Read more…]

Mother Cabrini Tribute Room Opens at Cabrini High School, New Orleans

One hundred years after her death, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, still keeps watch at Cabrini High School.  Her presence has been highlighted in a permanent exhibit of her life in New Orleans on the school’s Esplanade Avenue campus.

The idea for the exhibit dawned on Jack Truxillo when he became president of Cabrini High School a few years ago and he realized that many of Mother Cabrini’s artifacts were scattered around campus.

A more fitting home was in order, he though considering the contributions St. Cabrini had made in the lives of so many through her establishment of orphanages, schools, hospitals and clinics worldwide.

Truxillo chose a little-used room overlooking Esplanade Avenue and began in late 2016 assembling the pieces which were relics since she either touched or wore them.  A timeline of her life was written and the room was formally unveiled on March 13 at a benefactors’ reception.

Among Mother Cabrini’s relics are her habit, cape, umbrella and shoes, a head garment and veil, a fan, a desk statue, rosary, reading glasses, sewing scissors, pocket watch, personal prayer cards, a Canal Louisiana Bank & Trust Company bank book, and an orphanage checkbook signed by Mother Cabrini.

It’s very special and an honor to have these artifacts of a saint who actually stayed, prayed and ministered in this very building,” Truxillo said.  “Ourstudents, faculty, staff and administration get to experience this every day, and we want to share it with

the community.”

To read the entire article: https://clarionherald.org/2018/05/03/tribute-room-to-mother-cabrini-open-to-public/

                                    ~ by Christine Bordelon of the Clarion Herald

 

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