New York City: Saint Frances Cabrini Shrine
About Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini:
As the first citizen of the United States to be declared a Saint, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is honored in many places throughout the U.S., perhaps none more so than here in New York, at the Mother Cabrini Shrine.
Frances Cabrini was born Maria Francesca Cabrini on July 15, 1850, in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, which at that point in history was part of the Austrian Empire. In November 1880, Cabrini and seven other women who had taken religious vows with her founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC). The sisters took in orphans and foundlings, opened a day school to help pay expenses, started classes in needlework, and sold their fine embroidery to earn a little more money. The institute established seven homes and a free school and nursery in its first five years. These accomplishments brought Frances Xavier Cabrini to the attention of Giovanni Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza, and that of Pope Leo XIII.
In September 1887, Frances Xavier Cabrini went to seek the pope’s approval to establish missions in China. Instead, he urged that she go to the United States to help the Italian immigrants who were flooding to that nation, mostly in great poverty. “Not to the East, but to the West” was his advice. Mother Cabrini left for the United States, arriving in New York City on March 31, 1889, along with six other sisters. In New York she encountered disappointment and difficulties. Archbishop Michael Corrigan, who was not immediately supportive, found them housing at the convent of the Sisters of Charity. She obtained the archbishop’s permission to found the Sacred Heart Orphan Asylum in rural West Park, New York, later renamed Saint Cabrini Home.
Mother Cabrini organized catechism and education classes for the Italian immigrants and provided for many orphans’ needs. She established schools and orphanages despite many challenges. She was skilled at finding people who would donate what she needed in money, time, labor, and support. In New York City, she founded Columbus Hospital ( later merged with Italian Hospital to become Cabrini Medical Center from 1973 to 2008, after which it closed).
Frances Xavier Cabrini died in Chicago on December 22, 1917……however, she could have easily have died in 1912. Here is the story:
In April 1912, Mother Frances Cabrini was in Italy with her sisters. Her plans were to visit her foundations in France, Spain, and England before sailing back to the United States in mid-April to continue work in New York City. Her sisters in England were eagerly awaiting this visit from their 62-year-old founder and superior. To help make her journey back to the U.S. more comfortable, they bought her a ticket and booked passage on a new ocean liner, the RMS Titanic.
As it turned out, word reached Mother Cabrini that there was trouble at the Columbus Hospital that she had established in New York. It was overflowing and there was urgent business to settle involving a new expansion. She had to get back to raise desperately needed money to proceed with the project. So she changed her plans and left early, sailing from Naples rather than England. Of course, the Titanic sank during her maiden voyage on April 15, 1912. Out of approximately 2200 people on board, only 750 survived. Those who offered to stay behind and give their places to others included several priests, and it would seem highly likely that Francis Xavier Cabrini would have done the same had she been on board.
Mother Francis Cabrini was Beatified on November 13, 1938 by Pope Pius XI and Canonized July 7, 1946 by Pope Pius XII.
She became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. in 1909 and died in Chicago on December 22, 1917 in one of the hospitals she had helped establish (see link below). In 1946, she was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII in recognition of her holiness and service to mankind and was named Patroness of Immigrants in 1950.
Today the Missionary Sisters, their lay collaborators and volunteers work as teachers, nurses, social workers, administrators and members of institutional boards of trustees. They can be found on six continents and 15 countries throughout the world – wherever there is a need.
The Feast Day of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is celebrated in the U.S. on November 13 and on December 22 in the rest of the world.
About Saint Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York City:
When her body was exhumed, her head was removed and is preserved in the chapel of the congregation’s international motherhouse in Rome. An arm is at the national shrine in Chicago, while most of the rest of her body is here at the shrine in New York under the altar.
Mother Cabrini was beatified on November 13, 1938, by Pope Pius XI, and canonized on July 1946 by Pope Pius XII.
Unfortunately, the school itself had to close at the end of the 2014 school year due to declining enrollment. The Shrine will remain open to visitors.
The Shrine is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Masses are held in both in English and Spanish Check their website for details.
Saint Frances Cabrini Shrine is available for weddings, funerals and baptisms. They also have a variety of retreat and conference facilities.
Traveling to the Saint Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York City:
The shrine is located in upper Manhattan.
Address: 701 Fort Washington Ave., New York, NY 10040
GPS coordinates: 40° 51′ 28.7352” N, 73° 56′ 8.3724” W
Tel: +1 (212) 923-3536
email: info@cabrinishrinenyc.org
Click here for the official website of the Saint Frances X. Cabrini Shrine in New York City.
There are several other shrines in the U.S. devoted to Mother Cabrini:
Click here for the National Shrine of Saint Frances Cabrini in Chicago, Illinois
Click here for the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colorado
Find a great selection of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Medals and statues here.
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