Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Cardinal Timothy Dolan presides at closing Mass for Centenary Year

January 17, 2018

St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York City rang with the voices of friends, volunteers and Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who gathered to celebrate the end of Mother Cabrini’s Centennial year. On December 16, sisters from Cabrini missions in Argentina, Central America, Australia, and all over the Eastern United States gathered in Cabrini Shrine Chapel, greeting each other with open arms, wide smiles and many stories of their ministry around the world.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan officiated at the Mass in both English and Spanish. During the Mass, Cardinal Dolan said of Mother Cabrini, “We love her. We need her. We thank God for her… She herself became an immigrant, in search of the immigrant.”

The centennial theme song from Argentina, “¡Y Emprendemos un Viaje!” and the Cabrini Shrine song, “Go Where I Send You” were loudly sung by the happy congregation.

The immigrant community that joined with the sisters for the mass was encouraged and uplifted by their continued commitment to the work that Mother Cabrini began among us so long ago.

It was a glorious day.

Here is a link to the story in Catholic New York:

http://www.cny.org/stories/centenary-mass-cites-mother-cabrinis-care-for-immigrants,16604

Photo credit: Anthony Jalondi

St. F. X. Cabrini Shrine, NYC – Sacred Sites Open House

May 4, 2017

: Stained Glass image of St. Cabrini

: St. Cabrini enshrined in main altar

: Exterior of the Shrine

This year marks the Landmarks Conservancy’s seventh annual Sacred Sites Open House on May 20^th and 21^st.

This year’s theme, Stained Glass: Windows on this World and the Next focuses on the significance and conservation of stained glass and windows in religious sites and highlights work of American stained glass masters including John LaFarge, Henry Sharp, and Louis Comfort Tiffany as well as prominent European artists and studios including Henry Holiday and Mayer of Munich among others.

Over 130 churches, synagogues, and meetinghouses throughout the city and state will be open for you to explore their wonderful religious architecture.

The St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine will be open both Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a gift shop and both guided and self-guided tours.

Stained glass in the chapel depicts the life of Jesus and a 3-story image of Mother Cabrini. They have painted realistic detail and dynamic shape. They were designed by Fabian Zaccone in New York and fabricated by G. Pollini in Florence, Italy, installed in 1959.

The pictorial mosaic that surrounds the altar, depicting Mother Cabrini’s life and work, is outstanding in its artisanship and message. This mosaic, recently restored by Stephen Miotto of Miotto Mosaic Art Studios, is priceless and irreplaceable. It is 123 feet long and 24 feet high, and is a unique undertaking for its time, or any time. It is an architectural and spiritual treasure.

The Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was designed by architects De Sina & Pellegrino. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be made a saint, was the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was sent to New York in 1880 to assist Italian immigrants. She established schools, hospitals, and orphanages around the country. With a commitment to immigrants of all kinds, her ministry extended across the country and into South America. Mother Cabrini died in Chicago in 1917. Her remains were returned to Washington Heights, site of the Mother Cabrini High School, and enshrined. She was canonized in 1946.

Click on the Open House Sites tab to begin planning your trip.

St. Cabrini’s First Miracle

January 19, 2017

A family perspective… Fr. John Frances Xavier Smith shares the story of his brother’s remarkable entrance into this world.

Fr. John F.X. Smith, brother of Fr. Peter Smith.

On Friday, January 13^th, Missionary Sisters along with many others, had the opportunity to join Fr. John Frances Xavier Smith at the St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine in New York City as he shared the story of the miracle of his brother, Fr. Peter Smith. Fr. Peter Smith’s eye tissue and sight restoration was Mother Cabrini’s first miracle.

Fr. John took us back in time to old New York as he shared the story he had heard from his mother, Margaret Riley Smith. She would retell time and time again the particulars of this miracle that occurred on March14, 1921. He repeated several times how she commented on seeing Peter after his birth and how blue his eyes were. Peter was born healthy and normal but a nurse’s mistake of [administering] the [incorrect dosage of] silver nitrate solution [to baby Peter] ate through his corneas and some of his facial skin.

During Father John’s [presentation] many of the [attendees] were leaning forward in their seats listening to the story that was being retold by this baby’s brother many years later.

Another interesting aspect was how Fr. John paralleled Mother Cabrini’s vulnerability as an infant with that of his own brother.
The group [in attendance] was diverse and all seemed to enjoy being connected to the encounter that was unfolding before them. Father was very generous with his time and he and the audience passed a great deal of time sharing informally during the reception.

Father was accompanied by Fr. Michael McMahon from Colorado Springs and Jo Ann Tedesco-Clayton, a long time friend and videographer.

Shrine staff members enjoy socializing with Fr. Smith following his presentation.

Missionary Sisters in attendance were Sr. Maria Loretta Caeti, Sr. Dianne McKenna and Sr. Frances Brogan. Sr. Marisel and MSC Candidate Claudia were in attendance from the Formation Community.

The day of the presentation – January 13^th – was also the day of the funeral of Sr. Marie Louise DeAntonio, MSC and Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, MSC, therefore, many of the MSCs were unable to attend Fr. John’s presentation.

The Call of Cabrini

July 20, 2016

Year of Mercy pilgrimage 2 DSC02733web-300x200 What has brought a hundred people from Costa Rica, sixty people from Peru, seventy-five more from nations in West Africa, and five hundred fifty local residents to venture to West 190^thStreet?

They have all come to visit a church built in honor of a Catholic Sister from Italy as part of a pilgrimage during the “Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy” or the “Year of Mercy.” Year of Mercy pilgrimage 1 DSC02734web

Announced in March 2015 by Pope Francis, the occasion is a period of prayer celebrated by Roman Catholics that began in December 2015 and will last until November 2016.

The focus is on God’s forgiveness and mercy, and Church leaders observe a time of universal pardon and remission of sins.

Devout observers travel to sites around the world to gather, sing, meditate, and pray.

One of those destinations is the unique mid-century modern chapel on Fort Washington Avenue in Washington Heights. The Saint Frances Cabrini Shrine is just outside the entrance of Fort Tryon Park. It is named for the formidable Saint Frances Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants.

She is also commonly referred to as the “Little Sister.”

The shrine is one of only three specially designated pilgrim sites in New York City where the devout may visit to receive special grace and inspiration.

Many arriving pilgrims are drawn by the presence of the Holy Doors, which were blessed last November by Bishop Gerald Walsh, who serves as vicar general of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. The visitors pause outside the doors to gather their thoughts.

Some enter the chapel on their knees, some holding hands with loved ones, some singing; but most walk through the doors in mindful quiet.

It was in 1899 the Mother Cabrini discovered the property where the Shrine now stands.

At that time, the neighborhood was a remote northwest edge of New York City. The only buildings in this very rural area of Manhattan were the villas of the wealthy. She purchased the property at 190th Street and Fort Washington Avenue, and opened Sacred Heart Villa to create a “residential school for young ladies.”

The Shrine will be celebrating Mother Cabrini’s birthday on July 23 with a family friendly day of special Masses, food and refreshments, and outdoor activities.