The memorial of Saint Frances Cabrini, an Italian nun, is a national celebration in the United States. Despite facing monumental roadblocks, Mother Cabrini is renowned for founding the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for her tireless efforts in assisting Italian immigrants in the United States. There is a movie in Mother Cabrini’s honor, which premiered in the last two years or so. You may like to watch it sometime, and it will be worth your time too.
Mother Cabrini is the first American citizen to be canonized as a saint and is considered the patron saint of immigrants. She founded several institutions, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages, to provide care for the poor, the sick, and the uneducated. On her feast day, we reflect on how we treat migrants in our communities, and pray especially for those who are fleeing warfare and conflicts, and for the several thousands out there in the cold at this time, uncertain about food, water, housing, and above all, their lives.