November 13, 2022
St. Franciszka was born in Lombardi, Italy on July 15, 1850, the youngest of thirteen children. At eighteen, she wanted to become a nun, but poor health stood in her way. She helped her parents until their deaths, and then worked on the farm with her brothers and sisters. One day a priest asked her to teach at a girls’ school and she stayed for six years. At the request of her bishop, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to look after poor children in schools and hospitals. Then, at the urging of Pope Leo XIII, she came to the United States with six nuns in 1889 to work among Italian immigrants. Over the next twenty-seven years, faced with great obstacles, she traveled extensively, and the congregation spread throughout the United States. She became an American citizen in 1909. Frances died in Chicago, Illinois on December 22, 1917. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946 and became the first American citizen to be so honored. St. Francis was named the patron saint of immigrants by Pius in 1950.
Lessons
St. Francis is a great example of a woman who, thanks to her humble service to God, was able to found over fifty hospitals, schools, orphanages, monasteries and other institutions. She did not seek fame and fortune, but only served God and humanity, and through her humility and love for God she achieved greatness.
O Jesus, I love you very much. Give me a heart as big as the universe. Tell me what you want me to do and do with me as you want.
– Traditionally attributed to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Prayer
St. Francisco, thanks to your humility and willingness to serve others, you have achieved so much for humanity. St. Ask the Lord to give us the grace of dying for ourselves every day, so that we can live for Him. Amen.
Other saints we remember today
- St. Didak (15th century), Martyr Bishop
- St. Stanisław Kotska (1568) A Jesuit novice, Patron of Poland, young students and those with broken bones
