Ciao from Italy! This April, members of the Mother Cabrini Shrine Colorado community participated in a pilgrimage across Italy, following in the footsteps of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and visiting places central to her life and mission.
The pilgrimage began in Codogno, where Mother Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and continued to Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, her birthplace. The group also paused in Assisi for time set aside for prayer and reflection before arriving in Rome.
In Rome, pilgrims celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter at the Vatican and visited the statue of Mother Cabrini inside St. Peter’s Basilica. They also visited St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls, where a recently installed statue reflects her global impact.
One of the most significant moments of the pilgrimage took place when six members of the group were welcomed to the General Curia of the Missionary Sisters in Rome. They were received by the General Superior, Sr. Maria Eliane Azevedo da Silva, along with members of her council. During the visit, the group viewed portraits of the congregation’s leadership, dating back to Mother Cabrini, and spent time in prayer before her relic in the Curia chapel.
They also visited the archives, where Mother Cabrini’s writings and volumes are carefully preserved, offering a direct connection to her life and work. The visit included time at the statue “Cecchina’s Dream” and concluded with conversation and hospitality before continuing on to Casa Cabrini.
At Casa Cabrini, the broader group gathered to celebrate Mass in the chapel built by Mother Cabrini and to pray before her relic. The pilgrimage concluded at St. Mary Major Basilica, where the group gathered in prayer, carrying with them the intentions of the Shrine community.
Throughout the journey, the experience offered a deeper understanding of Mother Cabrini’s life and the continued relevance of her mission.
Photos from the pilgrimage can be found on the Mother Cabrini Shrine Facebook page. Thank you to all who followed along and for your continued prayers throughout the journey.