Together on the Journey: A Weekly Word from Archbishop Hebda
The life of Catholics in America changed forever the day that Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to begin her apostolic work among the Italian immigrants in New York City. It is still hard to imagine how this immigrant woman would have such a large impact on not only the Church, but the country.
As immigrants flooded into America in the 1880s, many of them needed help getting started, but there were far too few resources available to them. When Mother Cabrini came to America, all she had was the commitment and example of her fellow sisters and a deep trust in God’s providence. The sisters started by opening an orphanage for Italian immigrants. It didn’t take long for word to spread about their great work, and soon Mother and her sisters were opening hospitals, schools, and orphanages all over the United States.
I have had a devotion to Mother Cabrini, the first American citizen to be declared a saint, since my days in Manhattan in the early 80’s. I loved visiting her shrine. That devotion grew during my years serving in the Archdiocese of Newark, where she also had quite an apostolic presence. While she is remembered most often as an unfailing intercessor for drivers in Manhattan (Mother Cabrini, don’t be a meany, help me to find a parking place), it’s her perseverance in defense of immigrants that makes her one of my great heroes.
Our God is so good that when things seem most dire, he sends the saints, imitating his son, Jesus, to help. At the time of Mother Cabrini, Italians and other recent immigrants faced great discrimination (as have most immigrant communities). They didn’t know the language, had difficulty finding employment, and struggled to feed their families. The American dream that had been promised to them was difficult to achieve in those circumstances. It was just when things seemed most desperate, that Mother Cabrini and her sisters came on the scene. Praise God!
Today, immigrants continue to seek a better life in America – many times fleeing violence or oppression. How we best serve these sisters and brothers in our current day remains a much-debated topic, but what is non-negotiable for us as followers of Jesus is that we must always uphold their dignity and God-given rights. I encourage you to read these resources from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, pray for refugees and immigrants in our Archdiocese – populations that St. Frances Cabrini would have gladly served – and consider how we might more perfectly follow in her compassionate example. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us.
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