With an 'American Pope', What Better Time to Meet Cabrini, the FIrst American Saint

Catholicism has been headline news in recent weeks with the passing of one Pope and the election of a new one, and a Chicago native at that -- a first that few observers expected.  But despite longstanding prejudices the Roman Catholic Church has deep roots in the United States, especially so in the late 19th as waves of Catholic immigrants, mostly poor, arrived to do that hard work of nation building.

One of the few to make a real difference in bettering their often terrible conditions was Frances Xavier Cabrini MSC, also known as Mother Cabrini. Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC), a religious institute that today provides education, health care, and other services to the poor in 15 nations.  During her lifetime, Cabrini established 67 schools, orphanages and other social service institutions in Italy, the United States and other nations. She became a revered and influential figure in the Catholic hierarchy in the United States and Rome.

Eventually, according to the traditions and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, she became the first American to be recognized by the Vatican as a saint.

Cabrini, is well-reviewed 2024 American biographical drama film that depicts Cabrini as she encounters resistance to her charitable efforts in New York City. The film explores the sexism and anti-Italian bigotry faced by Cabrini and others in New York City in the late 19th century. It is being shown as part of a series of Italian-themed films by the Sons & Daughters of Italy, in cooperation with the Franklin Historical Museum, Saturday, 6:30 PM at 80 West Central St. Franklin. The event is FREE.