This year marks the 75th anniversary of the canonization of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, known by many as Mother Cabrini. To celebrate the occasion, the National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, located in Lincoln Park, is launching a jubilee year on Nov. 13, 2021. The year includes a plenary indulgence for those who make a pilgrimage to the shrine or to Holy Name Cathedral, walk through its holy door and complete the necessary requirements.
A Holy Door, which symbolizes the doorway to salvation, is only opened at a cathedral, basilica or parish of special significance that becomes a pilgrimage site during a Jubilee year. The Holy Father has given bishops around the world the power to designate Holy Doors in their own diocese as places of pilgrimage for the faithful. Pilgrims passing through them secure the remission of their sins.
Unveiling of New Mother Cabrini Statue
An anonymous benefactor will donate a statue of Mother Cabrini in order to foster devotion to the universal patroness of immigrants. It is scheduled to be installed in the Holy Name Cathedral courtyard in October 2022. More information will be upcoming.
EVENTS
Special Mass Celebrating the Jubilee Year
Sunday, Dec. 5, at 12:30 p.m.
Holy Name Cathedral
735 N. State Street (corner of Superior Street)
Opening of the Holy Doors and Mass
The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Chicago celebrated the kickoff of the jubilee year with a Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Casey, vicar general, on Nov. 13, 2021.
Born two months premature to a large family in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, in the northern part of Italy, on July 15, 1850, Francesca Cabrini was in delicate health most of her life.
From an early age Francesca Cabrini was fascinated by missionaries who spoke of their experiences of spreading the Word of God in the East. Hearing these stories, she wanted to become a missionary but had been rejected by existing religious communities because of her poor health. However, a local bishop recognized her zeal and energy, and encouraged her to start her own religious community.
After founding the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she spent some years developing the order and expanding their missions throughout Italy. She founded several schools, orphanages and supervised a hospital in her home country.
It was Pope Leo XIII who said to Mother Cabrini, “Not to the East, but to the West.” In 1889, Mother Cabrini and six of her sisters embarked for America with 1,500 other immigrants bound for New York City.
They delivered basic education, health care and spiritual guidance to poor Italian communities across the United States.
In 1899, Mother Cabrini traveled to Chicago, where she founded and taught at Assumption School and later opened Columbus Hospital in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
On Dec. 22, 1917, Mother Cabrini died at Columbus Hospital at age 67. In 1928, Cardinal George Mundelein verified two miracles attributed to her, and on July 7, 1946, Pope Pius XII proclaimed Mother Cabrini a saint, making her the first American citizen saint.
From the National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s website. For a more detailed biography, please visit: https://www.cabrininationalshrine.org/timeline-and-her-life-s-work
Press Release
https://www.archchicago.org/en/news-release/-/article/2021/11/09/cabrini-jubilee-year
Chicago Catholic
Shrine to launch jubilee year for Mother Cabrini
The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
For more information on Mother Cabrini, her life and the Jubilee year
https://www.cabrininationalshrine.org/
Catholic Chicago Radio - Live Radio Program 11/1/2021
Celebrating 75 Years of Sainthood