Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Bringing Christ's love to the world
Hundreds of students and pilgrims made their way to the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in Upper Manhattan on Wednesday for Mass to mark the feast day of a saint who changed New York.
To view a video from the GoodNewsroom please click here
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The Mother Cabrini Shrine community in Golden, Colorado celebrated the Feast of St. Frances Cabrini with a special feast day noon liturgy on Wednesday, November 13. Fr. John Lager, O.F.M., Cap. celebrated Mass and reminded those in attendance and via livestream that we are all called to trust in God’s providence just as Mother Cabrini did. He also encouraged everyone to model their lives after her and take their fears, worries, and needs to the Heart of Jesus.
The Shrine community also prayed the novena to Mother Cabrini together during the nine days leading to the feast before Mass each day. The prior weekend Masses also included anticipatory celebrations with the veneration of Mother’s relic and special holy cards to serve as reminders of Mother Cabrini’s love and devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Mother Cabrini’s pioneering spirit was manifested early on, even before she founded the Missionary Sisters, as she grew in discernment, courage and energy, her capacity for relationship, her drive and tenacity. She learned early in her life how to deal with setbacks, blocks and frustrations: a gift she had learned from her deep and intimate prayer life and her loving relationship with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
She was a very passionate woman – passionate to help others, passionate in overcoming the difficulties which were always assailing her, passionate in deepening a gospel spirituality not only in her sisters but also in those to whom she and her sisters were ministering. Through the years, Mother Cabrini had become expert at handling difficulties and adversities, always maintaining her peace and always alert to the needs of others, especially the poor, the marginalized, the immigrant. She had a far-sighted vision of mission and had planted her Institute in eight countries by the time she died.
What was her secret? Where did all this energy and insight come from? From an early age, Frances knew how to immerse herself in the depths of the Heart of Jesus and scripture. She took every problem she had to the Heart of Jesus who inevitably showed her his love for her, how to resolve difficulties, what he wanted from her and what her priorities had to be.
Mother Cabrini was always writing in her diary. We are so blessed to have these intimate glimpses into her heart and soul, her passion and energy, her love and zeal. She was truly a “contemplative missionary” and she encouraged all of her sisters to be the same. Today, that is the same challenge that is offered to ever MSC, every Cabrini Lay Missionary (CLM), every Cabrinian collaborator who is called to serve the Lord with compassion and zeal, determination and far sightedness.
What a blessing it is for us in the Cabrini Family in the 21st century to have a such a legacy, a far-sighted vision of mission “to the ends of the earth”!
Christiana Dell’Anna, David DeCerbo
2024 Cabrini Mission Foundation Gala
Sparkling drinks, candlelight, and laughter filled the room as attendees and Sisters enjoyed “A Night in Codogno.” Held on Friday, October 11th at the Metropolitan Club in New York City, the event was inspired by the rustic charm of Codogno, Italy—the town where Mother Cabrini founded Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus religious order in 1880.
The evening’s ambiance was set with beautiful vines, Italian delicacies, and lively music, immersing guests in the true spirit of Italy: family, tradition, and togetherness.
The Foundation honored two remarkable individuals: David DeCerbo, Esq. and Cristiana Dell’Anna—both of whom share stories of humble beginnings, perseverance, and inspiring success.
David DeCerbo, recipient of the Mother Cabrini Lifetime of Service Award, is a successful attorney specializing in health policy, legislation, and law. His relationship with the Missionary Sisters began almost 50 years ago, during his tenure as Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at Cabrini Medical Center on 19th Street in Manhattan. Continuing to provide legal services to the Missionary Sisters throughout the years, he went on to make partner at a firm that is Nixon Peabody today. Notably, David filed the paperwork to establish the Cabrini Mission Foundation and has been a dedicated member of our board since its inception 26 years ago.
The Spirit of Cabrini Award was presented to Cristiana Dell’Anna, an exceptionally talented actress whose career has taken her from the streets of Naples to the stages of London and the big screen. Cristiana’s portrayal of Mother Cabrini in the film Cabrini has brought her recognition, including being named Best European Actress at the Septimus Awards. Cristiana made her big screen debut in the psychological thriller Third Contact and she has also played popular roles in the Italian soap opera Un posto al sole, as Patrizia, in the second season of Gomorra as well as in the 2022 Netflix Movie – “Toscana.”
As the night drew to a close, guests left with full hearts and satisfied appetites, just as one might after a true evening in Codogno.
This year, on October 7th, Mother Cabrini Shrine in Colorado celebrated Cabrini Day, a holiday dedicated to the remarkable life and legacy of Frances Xavier Cabrini. Recognized as the first woman in the United States to be honored with a paid state holiday, this special day was made possible through a bill signed into law in 2020 by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.
The Shrine hosted a variety of engaging events for all ages during the Cabrini Day festivities. A pop-up museum showcased several artifacts, providing a unique window into Mother Cabrini’s life and work. Additionally, a noon Mass was celebrated with ten members of our clergy, Missionary Sisters and Shrine staff, local elementary school children, and many others who gathered to pay tribute to St. Frances Cabrini’s inspiring contributions to Colorado and the world. The celebrations continued with a captivating screening of “Cabrini,” the movie, held within the tranquil atmosphere of the chapel.
Blessed
with beautiful autumn weather, the atmosphere at Mother Cabrini Shrine was warm and inviting, reflecting the community spirit that Mother Cabrini held so dear. Cabrini Day serves as a powerful reminder of her lasting impact and the Shrine’s ongoing commitment to sharing her story and providing a unique, peaceful environment for visitors to experience God’s loving presence.
Recently on the EWTN program The World Over hosted by Raymond Arroyo, Eustace Wolfington, the executive producer of the recent film Cabrini (2024), talks about the successful initiative to show the movie in Catholic schools in Philadelphia in order to spread the message of Mother Cabrini. The plans are to bring this initiative throughout the schools and parishes of the United States and beyond.
To watch the film clip, please click here
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September 15th, Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC and Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC attended a dedication ceremony for two new tapestries installed in the entrance to St. Francis Xavier Church in Manhattan, NY. The Tapestries are entitled – “Into Light and Truth: Holy People of the Americas”.
Within the Tapestry is included St. Frances X. Cabrini. The artist is John Nava. The individuals depicted in the tapestries worked for and gave their lives to advance biblical justice, human rights and equality
After meeting with widespread acclaim in the United States, most recently, the CABRINI film made its debut in Guatemala. [This was] a special activity which we could share with the team of both our clinics, as well as the beneficiaries of our programs, our collaborators, associates, and people linked to our work.
On this occasion, with approximately 250 participants, we also conducted a cinema forum or engaged in an analysis of the film during which we could talk about the current migrant situation and the role of women in the transformation of the world.
On Thursday, April 18th, a capacity crowd filled the retreat room at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in Upper Manhattan to hear Executive Director, Julia Attaway, give a talk on what was real in the Cabrini movie and what was “reel.”
For many, it was their first time at the Shrine. The local Lutheran church sent a group,
two women took the subway in from Brooklyn, and several curious neighbors came as well. It was a lively evening, and real fun.