Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

June 26, 2019

Tomorrow, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, we pause to consider that within every religious tradition there is such a variety of ideas and images that individuals tend to gravitate towards those that attract them or provide particular meaning. For Frances Cabrini, it was the human heart of the suffering crucified Christ that resonated strongly within. She saw expressed in the image of ‘The Sacred Heart of Jesus’, the love and kindness of the unseen God, his passion for all creation, and his chosen capacity to share in and ultimately redeem the suffering in the world.

The significance of heart symbolism to Frances cannot be overestimated. The motivation and the energy welling up within her came from a passionate love for God and a deep compassion for those in great distress – something which led her to profound self-sacrifice. Above everything else, she was motivated by love and inspired by a vision of loving that knew no bounds. Seeing herself as a sacred offering in the service of others, she felt called to make up for, in some small way, the heartlessness of the world.

Mother Cabrini came to recognize, in the person of Jesus Christ what could only be described as ‘Love itself’. She had known from the very beginning that this would be the most important relationship of her life. She recognized that within the heart was the foundation of all meaningful activity and the place of ultimate decision about the orientation of a person’s life. ~ Mark Davis, A Passionate Life

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a most hallowed and celebratory day for the Missionary Sisters and the Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs). It is on this day that the Sisters renew their vows and the CLMs renew their commitment. Let us ask God’s blessing upon them, that they may be strengthened in their dedication to be “bearers of Christ’s love in the world.”

Friday, June 8th is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

June 5, 2018

The Sacred Heart of Jesus was transformational in the life of Frances Cabrini. She experienced a powerful, personal experience of God’s love as it was lived and symbolized in the life and heart of Jesus. She was on fire with that love. She experienced Jesus not only as one who was loved by God and who loved her, but also as one who was missioned or sent to share that love. This experience created in her an intimate personal relationship with Jesus and, at the same time, sent Frances out to the ends of the earth as a missionary of the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

An unwavering hope in Jesus was the foundation of her life: confidence, trust, simplicity and security – not in her own powers, but in the one who loved her. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13) was the central focus of her life.

Love, passionately expressed in her intimate, prayerful dialogue with Jesus, was made visible in concrete actions for others.

Her deep and abiding love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is Frances Cabrini’s legacy to us – a living interplay of faith, hope, and love that is a dynamic source of energy and power.

Feast Day celebrations took place throughout the Guadalupe Province as the Missionary Sisters renewed their vows and Cabrini Lay Missionaries renewed their commitments.

Feast Day, Mother Cabrini Shrine, Golden, CO

From left: Missionary Sisters Roselle Santivasi, MSC; Isalia Carvalho, MSC; Martha Lopez, MSC; Alice Zanon, MSC; and Eileen Currie, MSC renew their vows at the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, CO.

Greeting guests for the Feast Day are from left: Sr. Bridget Zanin, MSC, Shrine Director; Fr. Ted Ploplis, Shrine Rector; Sr. Benigna Morais, MSC; Sr. Alfonsina Gomes, MSC and Sr. Joaquina Costa, MSC.

Celebrating at The Cottage at Cabrini University are: Seated: Gina Scarpello; Bobbi Jacquet; and Karol Brewer Standing: Lechia Taylor; Beth Moy; Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC; Nancy Costello; Nancy Hutchison; and Sr. Grace Waters, MSC.

Cabrini Lay Missionaries Gather in Codogno to Imagine the Future

May 3, 2018

“Buon giorno,” “Buenos días,” “Bom dia,”and “Good morning”, were the words that greeted us as began our Cabrini Lay Missionary (CLM) International meeting in Codogno, Italy. CLMs from Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Ethiopia and the U.S. met from April 21^st – April 23^rd. The theme of the 2^nd International meeting was, “Together towards the future: Now is the right time.”

We came together to find common ground through formation, economic independence, and also to imagine our future. In addition to our own discussions, Rev. Msgr. Graham Bell, the undersecretary of the promotion of New Evangelization Department of the Pontifical Council, spoke to us about the challenges of the new Evangelization. We were also blessed to have Sr. Maria Regina Canale, MSC, the General Assistant of the MSCs, speak to us about the charism of St. Cabrini.

Sr. Maria Regina was also our tour guide, par excellence. We visited the St. Cabrini Museum in Codogno. It was like walking on holy ground as we walked in areas that St. Cabrini also walked. We visited the home where Mother Cabrini grew up and also her uncle’s house where she would put the paper boats with the lilacs in the water. We went to several churches where Mother Cabrini is remembered with statues, art work and altars with her relics. Everyone we met knew and loved St. Cabrini. Sr. Maria Regina’s love and enthusiasm about Mother Cabrini made the trip even more special.

We ended the meeting with a beautiful Mass. It was very moving when everyone renewed her commitment as a Cabrini Lay Missionary. Each national group renewed in its own language. It was so beautiful to hear the various languages, a reminder that we may speak different languages but we are all one.

Sr. Barbara Staley, MSC, General Superior of the MSCs accepted our commitments on behalf of the MSC Community. Each CLM received a special cross, the new symbol of the CLMs.

The Cabrini Community Welcomes Two New CLMs

June 9, 2016

It was a very special day in many ways at Cabrini of Westchester! Missionary Sisters from several New York City communities joined with those at St. Cabrini Nursing Home, along with residents, staff, volunteers and Cabrini Lay Missionaries in celebrating the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 3^rd.

At the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist, offered by Rev. Edwin Robinson, OFM, Director of Pastoral Care, and following the homily, the Missionary Sisters, led by Sister Arlene VanDusen, MSC made a devotional renewal of their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. All present joined in the congregational response, thanking the sisters for their fidelity and love and promising them their support.

Next, Pat Krasnausky, CLM Director, invited Lorraine Campanelli and Melanie Paccillo to come forward to enter into their commitment, as Cabrini Lay Missionaries to pledge themselves to the mission of Jesus and to be bearers of his love in the world. After a warm round of applause, each was presented with a medal bearing the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mother Cabrini, a symbol of their commitment to the gospel and the charism respectfully.

Both Lorraine and Melanie applied to Cabrini Lay Missionaries in 2015 and have been learning and discerning over the past year. Both are well known to the Cabrini community: Lorraine has been an employee of Cabrini of Westchester for fourteen years, first as a social worker and now as director of Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry where her experience as a teacher and social worker are invaluable. Melanie is a former Cabrini Mission Corps missioner who is now employed by the Cabrini Mission Foundation and the Provincial Office, where her talents are well utilized and appreciated.

No Cabrini celebration is complete without food. A very festive luncheon was enjoyed by all, throughout the nursing home and especially in the Board Room by the Sisters, the CLMs and guests.

Congratulations to all, and especially to Melanie and Lorraine as they embrace their baptismal calling and the Cabrinian charism!!