Those familiar with the life of Mother Cabrini know of her many wonderful accomplishments: Founding hospitals, orphanages, and schools for immigrant families and others in need in New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and in Western Europe, and Central and South America. Many are unfamiliar with the obstacles America’s first Citizen-Saint had to overcome.
Born 2 months premature to a large family in Sant’ Angelo Lodigiano, province of Lombardy, Italy on July 15, 1850, Francesca Cabrini was in delicate health most of her life. As a young girl, she nearly drowned, resulting in a lifelong fear of water. Yet, she crossed the ocean 27 times, often at great peril, to continue doing God’s work.

At an early age, she decided to dedicate her life to becoming a missionary.
Led by her passionate love for God and his people, and her zeal to make this love real in the lives of those she served, Mother Cabrini lived her life inspired by the words of Saint Paul in his letter to the in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.”

The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini   2520 Lakeview Ave. Chicago (773)360-5115