75th Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Frances X. Cabrini
On July 7th we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Canonization of Mother Cabrini.
Following the exhaustive Vatican processes of beatification and canonization, Mother Cabrini was declared Blessed on November 13, 1938, and on July 7, 1946, Mother Cabrini became the first United States citizen to be canonized a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
In the book, “Immigrant Saint” The Life of Mother Cabrini” by Pietro Di Donato, he writes of the canonization day, “On July 7, 1946, St. Peter’s wore a holiday appearance. It’s venerable and imposing pillars were decked with magnificent ancient damask hangings. Countless electric lights and candles were grouped around the pontifical altar…paintings depicting Mother Cabrini hung from the balconies. The activities in the Vatican began just after seven in the morning, when the Cardinals, patriarchs, Archbishops and other dignitaries who were to participate in the canonization began to arrive at the Sistine Chapel. Pope Pius XII entered the Sistine Chapel and intoned the Ave Maris Stella.
“The Pope made the following solemn declaration in Latin: “…we inscribe in the Catalogue of the Saints, the blessed Francesca Xavier Cabrini, ordaining that her memory be celebrated in the universal church on the Day of December 22, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.’”
In his homily the Pope said of Mother Cabrini, “Although her constitution was very frail, her spirit was endowed with such singular strength that, knowing the will of God in her regard, she permitted nothing to impede her from accomplishing what seemed to be beyond the strength of a woman.” ~excerpt from “Immigrant Saint” The Life of Mother Cabrini by Pietro Di Donato
“Religious leader, business administrator and spokesperson for the downtrodden, Mother Cabrini was always a woman of compassion. Despite hardship, poor health and disappointment, Mother Cabrini’s peace of soul enabled her to radiate a joy born of unfaltering trust in divine providence. This total and unabashed trust in God was her outstanding personality characteristic and was the source of an inner strength, which propelled her to remarkable accomplishments in a relatively short amount of time. Some saw in Cabrini the embodiment of immigrant aspirations: to get ahead, to excel, to prove one’s self. Others, instead, attributed her achievements to the zeal of a saint.”
~ Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, MSC, Ph.D., Mother Cabrini, “Italian Immigrant of the Century”
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
CLMs Await the Feast of the Sacred Heart
It is with great excitement that we look forward to celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart on June 11th. Not only is this day special to the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart (MSCs) but it is also a day that the Cabrini Lay Missionaries (CLMs) renew their commitments. This year, two of our CLMs, Adela Jarquin and Marianne McGowan, will be renewing their commitment for three more years! In addition to these renewals, we are blessed to have five people who will be making their initial commitment as a CLM!
This past year, a year of initial formation, those interested in becoming a CLM, have met monthly as a group. We had presentations about Mother Cabrini, the Institute, the different missions of the MSCs, the spirituality of the Sacred Heart and a discussion about the book, In Weakness, Strength by Segundo Galilea.
We have candidates from Pennsylvania, New York and Guatemala. It has been an exciting year as we learned about different cultures and the different ministries that everyone is involved in as well as having our meetings in English and Spanish.
Please keep all of us in your prayers as we prepare for a special celebration on June 11th.
National Catholic Sisters Week – March 8 – 14
National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) invites all to celebrate women religious from March 8-14.
NCSW is an annual celebration that began in 2014 to honor women religious with a series of events that instruct, enlighten, and bring greater focus on the lives of these incredible women. It’s a chance to recognize all that they do, with the hope that as more young women learn about women religious, more will choose to follow their example.
Visit the NCSW website, nationalcatholicsistersweek.org, to learn about the organization, find an event near you and join in honoring women religious, or plan an event of your own and spread the word.
The 2020 Global Perspective: What are We Seeing? – A Webinar
Wednesday, June 17th – 10 am CDT
In he midst of a pandemic, there are responses that can bring out the best or the worst in us.
Throughout our Cabrini World, we have seen many signs of hope and solidarity. In this webinar session we invite you to take a look; you are invited to a “see” change.
Our presenter will be Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC, General Councilor
Sr. Bernadette is a member of the MSC General Council and resides in Rome. Her primary areas of responsibility are formation and communication.
Her ministry experiences have been in teaching, retreat work, vocation promotion, campus ministry, parish ministry, fundraising and formation work with candidates, novices and Sisters in first vows.
To access the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87437736547
World Day for Consecrated Life
About World Day for Consecrated Life
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.
World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated on February 2nd however, it is observed in parishes on the Sunday after February 2nd. In 2019, this day is celebrated in parishes on February 2-3.
The Spirit of Christmas at Rockefeller Plaza
The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Cabrini Mission Foundation Board of Trustees invite you to celebrate
The Spirit of Christmas at Rockefeller Plaza
Enjoy Hors d’Oeuvres, Open Bar, Buffet Dinner and Dessert
Feast Day of Mother Cabrini
Today is the Feast Day of Mother Cabrini. It is the day on which celebrations will take place throughout the Institute.