How did St Frances Xavier Cabrini Die? All About It

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, also known as Mother Cabrini, was born on July 15, 1850, in Sant’Angelo, Lodigiano, Italy. She passed away on December 22, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini holds the distinction of being the first United States citizen to be canonized as a saint and is recognized as the patron saint of immigrants. 

She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and played a key role in establishing various educational, healthcare, and social welfare institutions worldwide.

This religious institute provided significant support to Italian immigrants in the United States. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini holds the distinction of being the first U.S. citizen to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, which occurred on July 7, 1946.

St Frances Xavier Cabrini’s Biopic “Cabrini’ is going to be Released on March 2024 

A new biopic film called “Cabrini” will be  released on March 8, 2024, by Angel Studios, depicting the life of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini. The film  would highlight her work in protecting impoverished children in New York City and her efforts to provide housing and education for the most vulnerable in society.

 Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, known for “Sound of Freedom,” the film aims for historical accuracy with the assistance of Msgr. Paul Bochicchio, a priest with ties to Mother Cabrini’s family. The release of the film has sparked interest and excitement at the shrine dedicated to Mother Cabrini near Lookout Mountain.

The woman had a painful death from malaria. She is adored and loved by people worldwide and has become one of the most significant personalities in Christian history. Let’s take a deeper look into her entire life to learn more:

St Frances Xavier Cabrini’s Early Life

Frances Xavier Cabrini was the youngest of 13 siblings, with only four surviving to adulthood. Despite aspiring to become a missionary from a young age and initially joining the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, her fragile health prevented her from entering the order. 

Instead, she founded her religious community, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in 1880. Despite facing challenges, Mother Cabrini gained papal approval to travel to the United States to assist Italian immigrants in 1889. 

During her lifetime, she established 67 institutions worldwide, including schools, orphanages, and hospitals. Mother Cabrini passed away on December 22, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946 and is revered as the patron saint of immigrants.

Origin of Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were founded during a significant wave of Italian immigration to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Millions of Italians, primarily from impoverished rural areas like the south and Sicily, sought refuge from poverty, exploitation, and violence in their homeland.

Most of these immigrants were farmers and laborers seeking any available work, and many were single men. Some initially planned to return to Italy within a few years, known as “ritornati,” while others stayed and supported their families back home financially.

Italian immigrants faced challenges adapting to American society, including issues of assimilation, authority, and citizenship. However, they ultimately made substantial contributions to American life and culture, with many becoming involved in politics and various fields.

The surge in Italian immigration was fueled by factors such as widespread poverty and internal strife in Italy, coupled with the promise of economic opportunity in America. Immigrants from the rural south and Sicily sought better lives for themselves and their families.

Their experiences, from the struggles of assimilation to their contributions to their new homeland, have had a lasting impact on American society.

St Frances Xavier Cabrini and Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart.

Let’s take a deeper look into the role of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in expanding and organizing the global community:

St Frances Xavier Cabrini was the Founder of Missionary Sisters Of Sacred Heart of Jesus

In November 1880, Frances Xavier Cabrini, along with seven other women she had taken religious vows with, founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC). She authored the rules and guidelines for the religious group and served as its leader until her death. 

The sisters provided care for orphans, established a school, taught needlework, and sold their embroidery to sustain themselves. Within five years, the institute established seven homes, a free school, and a nursery. Their charitable efforts attracted the attention of Bishop Giovanni Scalabrini and Pope Leo XIII.

What is the Main goal of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a global community of Catholic women established by Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini in 1880. Their primary aim is to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through both spiritual practices and acts of mercy.

The sisters support various initiatives such as schools, hospitals, clinics, spirituality centres, housing for the elderly, services for immigrants, and social welfare. 

They are dedicated to fulfilling the mission and spirit of Mother Cabrini, inspiring them to evangelize, educate, provide healthcare, and serve the poor and marginalized, regardless of their background. 

Present in 15 countries across six continents, the Missionary Sisters are coordinated from their motherhouse in Rome. They are committed to spreading God’s love, compassion, and reconciliation wherever they go.

St Frances Cabrini Expanded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the United States

In September 1887, Pope Leo XIII advised Mother Cabrini against missions in China and urged her to help Italian immigrants in the US. She arrived in New York City on March 31, 1889, facing initial challenges but later securing housing and opening the Sacred Heart Orphan Asylum in West Park, NY.

Mother Cabrini organized catechism classes and education for Italian immigrants, as well as caring for orphans. She established schools and orphanages nationwide and founded Columbus Hospital in New York City, which later merged into Cabrini Medical Center but closed in 2008. In Chicago, she opened Columbus Hospital and Columbus Extension Hospital, later Saint Cabrini Hospital, which closed in 2001–2002.

Her legacy includes founding 67 missionary institutions serving the sick and poor across the US, Latin America, and Europe. Nine years after she died in 1926, her mission to China was realized. She became a US citizen in 1909, and her dedication continues to inspire generations.

Does St Francis Xavier Cabrini have any romantic relationships?

Since Frances Xavier Cabrini was a saint, she never married and did not have any children. Instead, she devoted her life to religious and charitable work.

She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and established numerous institutions to serve the poor, sick, and uneducated. These institutions included orphanages, schools, and hospitals, reflecting her commitment to helping those in need.

How did St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Die?

Frances Xavier Cabrini died at the age of 67 due to complications from malaria. She experienced a recurrence of illnesses linked to a previous bout with malaria while in Chicago. 

On December 22, 1917, while preparing Christmas candy for local children, she suffered a sudden heart attack that led to her passing.

This event took place in one of her own hospitals, Columbus Hospital, located in Chicago. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946, and her canonization generated a lot of enthusiasm among Catholics.

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St Frances Xavier Cabrini’s Veneration

In 1933, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s body was divided as part of the process toward sainthood. Her head is in the chapel of the congregation’s international motherhouse in Rome, her heart in Codogno, and her arm bone in Chicago at her national shrine.

She was beatified in 1938 and canonized in 1946. Cabrini is celebrated on December 22, her death anniversary, but in the US, her feast day is November 13, commemorated at her major shrine in New York. Pope Pius XII named her patron saint of immigrants in 1950. She’s also known for helping find parking spaces due to her time in New York City.

Summing Up

The canonization of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini was significant because she was the first United States citizen to become a canonized saint. Pope Pius XII canonized her in 1946, sparking immense enthusiasm among Catholics. 

She is now recognized as the patron saint of immigrants and hospital administrators. Her canonization also shed light on her legacy and the impactful work she did to serve the poor, sick, and uneducated. Today, numerous institutions and shrines are dedicated to her, and her legacy continues to inspire people to serve others and live out their faith.

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