Mention the word “masterpiece” and one could get eyed for exaggeration, yet one group of filmmakers believe they hit the mark with their biopic about Francesca Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants. “Cabrini,” distributed by Angel Studios, opens in theaters on March 8, International Women’s Day.
“Happening Woman,” a musical based on the life and times of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, better known as Mother Cabrini, the beloved patron saint of immigrants, is being staged Nov. 13 and 14 in the auditorium of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Forest Hills.
A few hundred Catholics from all over the Diocese of Brooklyn marched through Carroll Gardens Sunday, Oct. 3, expressing their devotion to the patron saint of immigrants, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini. She began her U.S. ministry in that neighborhood more than 130 years ago.
Following the unveilings of two larger-than-life statues of Mother Cabrini in Manhattan and Brooklyn (in October 2020 and June 2021 respectively), the St. Frances Cabrini Shrine decided to commemorate two other significant moments in the saint’s life. On July 17, the community celebrated Mother Cabrini’s belated 171st birthday (July 15) and the 75th anniversary of her canonization.
Local Catholics interested in learning more about the life of Mother Cabrini can now view some of her never-before-seen belongings in a new pop-up museum at the shrine in her honor.
Although she couldn’t read or write English, Mother Frances Cabrini kept up an ongoing relationship with Brooklyn Bishop Charles McDonnell, who was the second Bishop of Brooklyn from 1892 to 1921.
There’s more than meets the eye in Brooklyn’s own Mother Cabrini statue and shrine, including a rich collection of symbols, features, and historical references representing the inspiring life of the beloved saint.
While we may never know the reason, I know that Mother Cabrini would seek understanding and hope that the new Diocese of Brooklyn monument and all of the other honors bring more of us together to know the motivation for her life’s work, Jesus.
It was a long time coming for the Diocese of Brooklyn to have its own Mother Cabrini statue, but the faithful finally got to see the final figure. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio unveiled and blessed the statue and shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini — also known as Mother Cabrini — outside her Brooklyn parish, Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Church on June 11.
After Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart on June 11, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will officially unveil and bless the Diocese of Brooklyn’s own statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, also known as Mother Cabrini.
