Excerpt from The Big Book of Women Saints

I had dinner the other night with a friend who told me she was named after Mother Cabrini. I sent her this excerpt from my book. One of the best parts about the research was getting to know women like Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini better.

Of Note: I wrote this book so that it highlights at least one saint per day. Most of the saints and blesseds in this book are listed on their feast day. This entry is for November 13th, the date Mother Cabrini's feast is observed in the United States.

November 13

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
(Francesca Saverio Cabrini)
b. July 15, 1850, Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy
d. December 22, 1917, Chicago, Illinois

Born in a small village in northern Italy,Frances Cabrini dreamed of becoming a missionary in China. By the time she arrived in America in 1889 she had founded numerous schools and orphanages in Italy and a religious order, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She had also mastered the art of negotiating with Italy’s anticlerical government and a Church hierarchy opposed to the idea of women missionaries. Cabrini impressed John Joseph Scalabrini, who urged her to go to America where the Italian immigrants desperately needed support. Still hoping to go to China, Cabrini consulted Pope Leo XIII,209 who famously responded, “Not to the East, but to the West,” and so she accepted an invitation from the archbishop of New York to establish an orphanage there.

Cabrini arrived in New York with six Missionary Sisters. The next day, when she called on Archbishop Michael Corrigan, he had changed his mind about his invitation. He needed priests, not nuns, he said, and suggested that she return to Italy. Cabrini respectfully assured the archbishop that leaving was out of the question. He then directed her to the Sisters of Charity, who sheltered Cabrini and her companions for as long as they needed and introduced them to a more cordial side of the city. Despite their rocky start, Cabrini soon won Corrigan over. She learned that he had disagreed with an American-born countess, who had then withdrawn her financing for the orphanage. Cabrini reconciled all sides, and the orphanage was opened a few weeks later. She also started a free school in the neighborhood known as Little Italy and began catechism classes at the churches there.

Cabrini next assumed management of a hospital in Piscataway, New Jersey. This was the fi rst of a number of hospitals she named for Christopher Columbus, a subtle reminder of Italy’s contributions to America. She moved on to Chicago, New Orleans (where she arrived shortly after eleven Italian men had been lynched), Seattle(where she officially became a citizen of the United States), and Golden, Colorado(where her shrine draws 150,000 visitors a year). Cabrini also established foundations in South and Central America. In all, she founded sixty-seven institutions with almost no financial support from her Church. Blessed with a gift for bringing out generosity in others, she also shrewdly negotiated with landowners and contractors. Cabrini’s heart finally gave out in Chicago—she collapsed while wrapping Christmas presents at an orphanage. She died the following day and is buried at her shrine in New York. There are more shrines, but her true memorials are the schools, hospitals, and other institutions that bear her name. Mother Cabrini was canonized less than thirty years after her death, becoming the first United States citizen so honored. She was declared the Universal Patron of Immigrants in 1950. Her feast is observed on November 13 in the United States and on December 22 in the rest of the world. Members of her order, also known as the Cabrini Sisters, continue her work on six continents.

The Genius of Frances Cabrini:
Cabrini described the source of her strength: “The Holy Spirit is a sun whose light is reflected in just souls, a bottomless, shoreless ocean whose waters are beautiful, transparent, crystalline and life-giving, and flow continually and abundantly over souls who place no obstacle and do not oppose the Paraclete. Oh, the just souls who live in these saving waters are always happy, joyous, secure,peaceful, and full of trust and great confidence in God. They fear nothing and undertake all tasks with great courage.”

Reflection:
“I have the strength for everything through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (motto of Frances Cabrini)

Click here to purchase THE BIG BOOK OF WOMEN SAINTS by Sarah Gallick

Upcoming Events and Engagements

I worked for two long years to make this book a reality. I am so excited to share my love for Saints. Check this page for my upcoming appearances.

So far I have given talks about saints connected to the Rosary, the Martyrs of China, American saints, New York saints, married saints, Dominican saints and more.

If you are interested in having me speak to your group, please contact me at sarahssaints@gmail.com

Praise for the Big Book of Women Saints

"THE BIG BOOK OF WOMEN SAINTS is a beautiful and concise guide to the luminous women who inspire us to a deeper faith. It is a welcomed daily reminder that holy women show us the way every day." -- Edward L. Beck, Author of GOD UNDERNEATH: Spiritual Memoirs of a Catholic Priest and Soul Provider: Spiritual Steps to Limitless Love

"This book is something we have been waiting for. The author has captured beautifully and meditatively the spirit of an army of women saints. Although saintly women have never been ignored, it's wonderful to meet so many whom we really did not know. If you are interested in the role of women in the Church, this is the book for you to read next. It is a joyful experience in getting to know saints." -- Father Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, author of THE JOURNEY TOWARD GOD

"Heaven Sent! In a world where we are frequently focused on the power of Hollywood this book is sent to remind us of the power of heaven. Throughout biblical history there are stories of people sent by God to achieve missions impossible. This book is truly a treasure of hope, containing stories about a collection of women sent closer to home and to our times to carry out the work entrusted to them. In writing this book, Sarah Gallick provides us with comfort and hope in what could best be described as a diary of daily divine inspiration for everyone."
--Susan Crimp, author of TOUCHED BY A SAINT: Personal Encounters with Mother Teresa

"The women called saints are first in line in the army of powerful people who changed the world for the better. They are often avoided because to acknowledge the grandeur of their accomplishments is to acknowledge the grandeur of God. Non of us would be the same if these great women had not lived and altered the course of history. " -- Father George W. Rutler, author of A CRISIS OF SAINTS

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What you will find inside The Big Book of Women Saints

From Saint Agnes of Rome, first of the fearless girl martyrs, to Saint Zedislava Berka, who balanced a demanding husband and children with a deep spiritual life, The Big Book of Women Saints will introduce you to more than four hundred courageous Catholic women, including:

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) The first-ever U.S.-born saint was a devoted wife and mother of five who converted to Catholicism after the death of her husband. She went on to found the Sisters of Charity, and is considered the mother of the American parochial school system. Canonized 1975.

Saint Clare of Assisi (1193-1253) She was only eighteen when she abandoned her privileged life to embrace the "holy poverty" preached by Saint Francis. Clare became his treasured advisor and co-founder of the Franciscan movement.

Saint Agatha of Catania (235-250) When Decius announced the edicts against Christians, the beautiful Agatha was handed over to a brothel in punishment. After refusing to accept customers, she was beaten, imprisoned, tortured, and her breasts were removed with pincers.

She is the patron saint of nurses and breast-cancer patients.
Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) A Spanish Carmelite nun and Doctor of the Church, Teresa was one of the greatest mystics and a leading figure in the Counter Reformation. She gives a glowing and powerful picture of the contemplative life in her classic Interior Castle.

Saint Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) As a young woman she experienced what she described in her letters as a 'Mystical Marriage' with Jesus, after which she began to tend the sick and serve the poor. Known for her daring letters to the Pope and people in authority, in 1999 Pope John Paul II made her one of Europe's patron saints.

We are not all called to be saints, but every saint is a unique human being. In this book you will meet brilliant scholars, fearless warriors, miracle workers, and tireless toilers for charity. More than one hundred fifty of them have been canonized or beatified since 1979, and more than one hundred lived in the twentieth century. They are women for today and for all time.

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About My Book

Most books about the saints are thin on women, especially contemporary women. Even Butler's LIVES OF THE SAINTS, the 'bible' of this category, lists far more men than women.

No book about the saints could ignore such beloved early martyrs as Agnes of Rome and Lucy of Syracuse but this new book will introduce readers to many new women who have been canonized or beatified by Pope John Paul II.

Of the more than 377 women mentioned in the book, 159 have been canonized or beatified since 1979. Approximately 100 of them lived in the twentieth century.

This new book is also unique in that it uses the saint's own words wherever possible, taking advantage of newly discovered archives, memoirs and other primary sources. It will contain resources such as internet shrines and other websites, as well as little–known information on the canonization process.

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About Me

I am the author of six books and a founding member of Catholic Women at Work. My most recent work is THE BIG BOOK OF WOMEN SAINTS.

My articles have appeared in the New York Times, as well as Vogue, Harper's, and Star magazines and online at Godspy.com.

I live in New York City and love to give walking tours and talks on these courageous Catholic women who have become such an important part of my life. Read Full Profile