Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
In today’s first reading, Paul addresses Titus, a close friend and his “true son in the faith” (Titus 1:4). Paul mentions our dark human side and then explains that despite our faults, God’s mercy, kindness, and generous love are richly poured out for each of us. The Holy Spirit renews us so His grace might justify us and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first United States citizen to be canonized, is celebrated today. She was born prematurely in Lombardy, Italy, in 1850. Frances had always wanted to be a missionary since she was a small child. Every religious community where she applied turned her down due to her frail health. Eventually, the bishop advised her to start her own community, and she soon founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart and received approval from Rome.
In 1889, Pope Leo XIII asked her to go to the United States, where there were many Italian immigrants. Within a few months, she opened an orphanage and a school and became a citizen in 1909. During the remainder of her life, she founded 67 charitable institutions and houses of her Congregation. Although she feared water, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean more than 25 times between the U.S. and Italy, bringing Sisters from Italy for the ever-expanding apostolate before she died in 1917.
Mother Cabrini and our founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, shared an unending thirst to serve the poor, the sick, and the forgotten. Both had health issues, yet they persevered and accomplished so much in their lifetimes by being Eucharist for all whom they encountered, sharing God’s mercy, kindness, and generous love.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s motto was from Saint Paul, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”
Prayer:
God our Father, you called Frances Xavier Cabrini from Italy to serve the immigrants of America. By her example teach us concern for the stranger, the sick, and the frustrated. By her prayers help us to see Christ in all the men and women we meet. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Today’s Mass Collect Prayer)
