Maria Francesca Cabrini was born on July 15, 1850, in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Lombardy, Italy.

She was the youngest of 13 children, only four of whom survived to adulthood, and she was determined from childhood to make religious work her life’s vocation.

After teaching in Italy in Vidardo (1872–74), she was appointed supervisor of an orphanage in Codogno (1874). In 1877 she took her vows and changed her name in honor of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of missionaries. Soon after, she became known as Mother Cabrini.

She arrived in New York City on March 31, 1889, after Pope Leo XIII recruited her to aid the waves of poor and vulnerable immigrants who streamed through Ellis Island (Mother Cabrini had tenaciously lobbied the Vatican to head East and spread the word of God).

She organized catechism and education classes for Italian immigrants and provided for the needs of thousands of children. She was as resourceful as she was prayerful, finding people who would donate money, time, labor and support.

Consider the following:

• She founded more than 60 schools, hospitals, houses and orphanages dedicated to the sick and poor, and Italian immigrants
• She was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized 
• She is the patron saint of immigrants

She has a shrine in Upper Manhattan, her image can be found on the bronze doors of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown and her monument rests at Battery Park City Esplanade:

She once wrote:

“Let us be generous, remembering always that the salvation of many souls is entrusted to our charity. We can do nothing of ourselves, for we are poor and miserable, but if we have faith and trust in Him who comforts us, then we can do all things.”

Plagued by years of illness, she passed away at the age of 67 on Dec. 22, 1917 in Chicago, Ill.

By then, she was an icon who defied incalculable odds while pursuing a higher mission.

Mother Cabrini, pray for us.