Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini: First American Women Saint

By NWHP admin on November 13th, 2010

Francesca Cabrini was born in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano Lombardy, Italy and took her religious vows in 1877. She is well known as the first American Woman to be beautified in November 13, 1938 but canonized July 7, 1946.

On this day in history she will not only be remembered for pioneering American Women into saint hood but for her subsequent accomplishments that trailblazed immigration, religion and with social issues:

Cabrini, along with six other sisters founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus where she composed the constitution and served as the establishment’s superior general. ( This establishment created homes, a free school and nursery during it’s initial five years.)
March 31, 1889, the Pope sent Cabrini to NYC to assist Italian immigrants by establishing an orphanage and creating 67 institutions across the U.S, South America and Europe.
Cabrini’s beatification miracle dealt with the restoration of sight to a child who had been blinded by excess silver nitrate in its eyes.
Mother Cabrini’s feast day is celebrated November 13, which is also the the day of her beatification.

A great way to celebrate this day in history is to volunteer at your local public schools, hospitals or children’s day cares to give back like Mother Francis.

By Sherryn Daniel

Categories: Featured Article, On this day in History, Uncategorized
Tags: 1938, mother francis xavier cabrini, november 13, sherryn daniel

Comments are closed.

Past Posts

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Friends –

Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination, the theme for 2013 Women's History Month , recognizes American women's outstanding contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We are proud to honor eighteen women whose pioneering work includes scientific breakthroughs, life-saving discoveries, invention of new technologies, creation of organizations, and the promotion of women and girls in STEM. For full description, visit our website www.nwhp.org.

A variety of information related to National Women’s History Month 2013 is available to download on our homepage www.nwhp.org where you can preview or order a copy of the 2013 Women’s History Gazette. Throughout the Gazette you will find information about women in the STEM fields. Also highlighted are many organizations and programs working to promote women's and girls’ interest and participation in STEM.

For National Women’s History Month 2013 as well as throughout the year, we invite you to explore the many women who have made extraordinary contributions to the STEM fields. We also encourage you to consider the ways in which you can promote women and girls in STEM.

Thanks for your support,

Molly Murphy MacGregor
Executive Director and Cofounder
National Women’s History Project