November Drinking Companion

Considering I have visited her tomb, a movie was made about her recently, and I have a unique story about her, Mother Cabrini otherwise known as St. Francis Xavier Cabrini was a the perfect choice for this month.

Initially she was found to be too frail for the religious group she joined. She felt a calling however to be a missionary in the far east, but life instead led her to the new world, in New York City. From there she would serve her people, the Italian immigrants opening orphanages and social services long before they became a normal government provision. Since her canonization she has become patron of the immigrant. Mother Cabrini understood serving the needs of those in a new country which led to her becoming the first United States citizen to become a Catholic saint.

Mother Cabrini for me personally was a reminder to be more aware of those abandoned by society. Whether it’s a child lacking parents, or someone that is new to this country, it’s important to encourage them to find their place in society. The more we work together, the better we assimilate to a common goal, which as an American is the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. As a Catholic Christian, it’s experiencing the fullness of life God designed all of us as human beings that deserves dignity, from conception to a natural death. This can sometimes include the adventure of going to foreign lands to share God’s love with those most in need.

A final personal story, when I was assisting my step uncle with his kidney transplant process. He was the Catholic priest that influenced me. We were visiting his old seminary in Esopus, N.Y., that they were about to close and sell. During our time there he pointed out an orphanage that Mother Cabrini founded. There was a beautiful stone wall that came to an abrupt end and from there it was wooden. He pointed out, that was the point Mother Cabrini realized the money was coming from the mafia. From there she cut off the funds and went to a more simple fence. It was one of those moments I enjoyed being present in a unique, hidden gem of history.

A collage of images from my visit to St. Francis Xavier Cabrini’s shrine in NYC.