Mother Cabrini’s legacy endures in New Jersey, inspiring faith and service
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, affectionately known as Mother Cabrini, holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics, particularly in northern New Jersey and throughout the Archdiocese of Newark. As the first American citizen to be canonized by the Catholic Church in 1946, Mother Cabrini is a powerful symbol of hope and strength for immigrants, the underserved, and all who labor in faith. Her mission in New Jersey and beyond continues to impact lives, her story serving as a model of compassion, perseverance, and service. On Nov. 13, her feast day is celebrated, honoring her enduring legacy and contributions to the Catholic faith.
A Mission Rooted in Faith and Determination
Born Francesca Saveria Cabrini in 1850 in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, a small town near Milan, Italy, Mother Cabrini was the youngest of 13 children. From a young age, she was captivated by the lives of missionaries and yearned to follow a religious path. Yet, due to her frail health, she was initially turned away by the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, the order that had educated her. Determined, Mother Cabrini founded her own religious institute, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in 1880. She and her seven founding sisters devoted themselves to serving the poor and vulnerable. Mother Cabrini’s dream was to become a missionary in China. However, during an audience in Rome, Pope Leo XIII directed her to address the immediate needs of Italian immigrants in the United States, telling her to go “not to the East, but to the West.”
Mother Cabrini arrived in New York City in 1889 and quickly recognized the severe challenges facing Italian immigrants. Many families were impoverished, struggling to find stable work and enduring harsh living conditions. In response, Mother Cabrini and her fellow sisters opened orphanages, hospitals, and schools for immigrants, especially children, creating a network of support that grew exponentially. Despite persistent obstacles, Mother Cabrini founded 67 institutions in her lifetime, spanning the United States, South America, and Europe. She often relied on her faith and ingenuity, finding benefactors, collaborators, and supplies through sheer determination and trust in God’s providence.
Mother Cabrini’s New Jersey Mission
In New Jersey, Mother Cabrini’s ministry began in Newark, where Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church welcomed her in the Ironbound neighborhood. This area was home to a large Italian population seeking spiritual guidance and a community to call their own. Under the leadership of its pastor, Monsignor Ernesto D’Aquila, the parish had been a hub for Italian Catholics, and Mother Cabrini saw a unique opportunity to serve the parish’s young immigrant children. Working closely with Monsignor D’Aquila, who had just arrived in the U.S. from Campobasso, Italy, Mother Cabrini opened Newark’s first Italian parochial school in 1899. The school initially operated in the basement of the church and then in a storefront, which the students affectionately nicknamed “The House of Glass.” Despite these humble beginnings, the school flourished quickly, growing from 200 to over 400 students in a few years. For the children, the school became a haven of faith and learning, and Mother Cabrini’s presence provided a rare source of stability and affection. She later wrote, “Everything was lacking, there were no comforts of any kind, but there were Italian sisters who spoke their language. The children sensed that they were loved by [the sisters] and were happy and faithful to their poor classrooms.”
A Place of Refuge: The Orphanage in Kearny
Mother Cabrini’s impact extended beyond Newark to nearby Kearny, where she founded St. Anthony’s Orphanage in 1903. Originally housed in the Ludlow Mansion, the orphanage provided a safe, loving home for young girls who had lost their families. As the number of children in Mother Cabrini’s care grew, she expanded the facility, building additional dormitories and a chapel by 1912 to accommodate over 125 girls. The orphanage became a cornerstone of support for orphaned and vulnerable children. It later served as the foundation for the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, which today serves as one of the archdiocese’s formation centers for seminarians. Mother Cabrini’s enduring legacy is alive and well at the seminary, where her mission to cultivate faith-filled leaders for the future continues to thrive. Above, a striking ceiling mural of Mother Cabrini, painted by the esteemed Italian artist Gonippo Raggi (1875-1959), serves as a reminder of that mission. Raggi, renowned for his breathtaking murals in churches across the globe, captured her spirit in this masterful work of art.
In Jersey City, Mother Cabrini’s influence can be seen at Holy Rosary Church, where a statue of the saint stands as a tribute to her time spent there. During her travels, Mother Cabrini visited the church, which became a spiritual refuge for the Italian immigrant community. Her connection to the church brought hope and affirmation to Italian Catholics striving to maintain their faith and identity in a foreign land.
A Monument to Faith: The Statue in Newark
One of the most visible tributes to Mother Cabrini’s legacy in northern New Jersey was a marble statue that once stood in Mother Cabrini Park outside Newark Penn Station, located near the original site of the first Italian parochial school she organized. The only public monument to Mother Cabrini in New Jersey, the statue was donated to the city in the 1950s. On Nov. 10, 2024, the Italian American and Newark communities celebrated the statue’s permanent relocation to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church with a joyful procession through Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood. Led by clergy, community members, and the Italian Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Newark, which honors her as its patron saint, the procession commemorated Mother Cabrini’s memory and renewed her legacy of serving immigrants and the vulnerable. The statue now serves as a focal point of devotion, a reminder of Mother Cabrini’s enduring inspiration to New Jersey’s Catholic community.
“It’s a momentous occasion that underscores Mother Cabrini’s lasting impact on the archdiocese. Her teachings on empathy and care for strangers continue to resonate, reflecting the core tenets of our faith,” said Eric Lavin, director of the Italian Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Newark. “The relocation and celebration of the statue was a wonderful collaboration between the parish and the city.”
A Legacy that Endures: Mother Cabrini’s Global Mission
Mother Cabrini’s influence remains vital through her institutions and the Missionary Sisters, who continue to serve on six continents, embodying her commitment to the poor and marginalized. She died in Dec. 1917, but her life continues to exemplify the Gospel’s call to see Christ in others, regardless of nationality, language, or economic status. Her legacy encourages Catholics today to welcome the stranger and support those in need with faith and courage.
Mother Cabrini’s words, “God has done it all: I have only been a spectator of God’s work,” echo her humble spirit and unwavering belief in God’s guidance. Her remarkable life, marked by an indomitable will to serve, continues to inspire, reminding the faithful that love and service transcend borders and time.
Videos on the Canonization of Mother Cabrini:
In English: https://youtu.be/v6M0EIblDSs
In Spanish: https://youtu.be/C4eDhw32-_U
(Click photos below to enlarge.)
