Firsts: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

Saint Frances Cabrini, sometimes called Mother Cabrini, was the first naturalized American to be canonized by the Catholic church.  She was an Italian-American religious sister who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880 with six other women who had taken religious vows with her.  They took in orphans and foundlings, opened a day school in order to help with expenses, taught needlework and sold embroidery in order to make some money for the institute.  The institute was able to establish a free school and nursery and seven homes in its first five years.  All of this good work earned Cabrini the attention of Blessed Giovanni Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza and Pope Leo XIII.

Cabrini founded several institutes that helped many immigrants find homes and learn English.  She also founded orphanages and hospitals.  One such orphanage is still around today and is called the Saint Cabrini Home.

Cabrini was beatified in 1938 by Pope Pius XI and was canonized in 1946 by Pope Pius XII.  She is the patron saint of immigrants and hospital administrators.

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini had a good heart and was willing to help anyone she could.  She took it upon herself to help make the world a better place.  She showed men what a woman could do if she sets her mind to it and got recognition for it.  Be like Cabrini and give people the chance for a better tomorrow.