We share excerpts from her letter.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
May the Peace of Christ reign in your hearts!
In the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Mother Cabrini’s canonization, we thank God for the wonders of His Love for us, as heirs to a legacy that was born with the spirituality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Thus, the words of Pope Pius XII in the canonization holy on July 7, 1946 are very relevant:
“This wonder, which frequently occurs by the disposition of Divine Providence
in the annals of the Church, today especially proves comforting at a time when men are in greater need than even of the splendor and fruit of holiness. Not only the Sisters, but, everyone has reason to observe and imitate the virtues of Frances Xavier Cabrini.”
With canonization, everything changes. Mother Cabrini belongs to the Church, to all the faithful and becomes a model of life sanctified by God.
Saint Cabrini, with her heart without borders, is a model of virtue and missionary spirit.
Declared ‘Universal Patroness of Immigrants’ by Pope Pius XII in 1950 and recognized by him in a pontifical audience as a “heroine of modern times.”
On the occasion of the centenary year of St. Cabrini – 2017 – Pope Francis emphasized her prophetic character. She had the intuition, in her time, that the modern era would be marked by enormous migratory flows and by men, women and children fleeing for a better future and for peace.
And, crowning this year 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited the city of Sant’ Angelo and in his speech, he expressed his affection and admiration for Mother Cabrini:
“I am here to pay tribute to Mother Cabrini, Patroness of Immigrants, the first Saint of the United States of American, born here in Sant’ Angelo Lodigiano and died in Chicago, my hometown.
Brothers and Sisters what is more current than this charism? I say it here, before the relic of Mother Cabrini’s heart. I say it while greeting and thanking with affection her spiritual daughters, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What is more current than a missionary charism that places itself at the service of migrants?
I take this occasion to launch an appeal, especially to young people: get to know St. Frances Cabrini. Read her writings, full of passion for Jesus and for the mission; her letters, her travel diaries, the notes from her retreats. Whoever knows Mother Cabrini is captivated by her.”
I believe that these words are an encouragement to be faithful to the legacy of Saint Cabrini for humanity in these current times.
And may our whole being and acting be for the Greater Glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as it was for our dear Mother Cabrini.
With love,
Sr. Maria Eliane Azevedo da Silva, MSC
General Superior
To view a video of the Pope’s visit to Sant’ Angelo Lodigiano please click here