80th Anniversary of Canonization
Pope Pius XI beatified Mother Cabrini on November 13, 1938, and Pope Pius XII canonized her on July 7, 1946, at St. Peter's Basilica. Mother Cabrini became a U.S. citizen in 1909 and was the first American citizen to be canonized a saint.
Before Mother Cabrini could be beatified with the title “Blessed” two or more miracles had to be verified as occurring through her intercession. The first involved Peter Smith, an infant who was accidentally blinded shortly after birth by an excessive dose of silver nitrate solution — which also seared his cheeks and caused pneumonia from the fumes. His eyesight was miraculously and completely restored through Mother Cabrini's intercession. The second was the complete recovery of Sister Delfina, a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart, who was near death in Seattle, suffering from severe stomach cancer, grave post-operative infections, and extreme weakness.
Special dispensation was given for Mother Cabrini’s canonization. At the time, the Code of Canon Law stipulated that 50 years had to pass after a person’s death before a cause could be opened. Mother Cabrini died less than 30 years prior to her canonization. Apostolic nuncio to the U.S. Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani appealed to the Vatican for special consideration of her cause.
Shortly after her canonization, she was officially named the Patroness of Immigrants in 1950, cementing her life's work of serving the vulnerable, poor, and displaced.
People often asked the saint where she got her money to found institutions, and she replied, “We spend millions but haven’t a cent. We draw from the Bank of Providence. Its funds are inexhaustible.”
In honor of Mother Cabrini’s canonization, Catholics celebrated with a special Holy Hour at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 22, 1946. More than 100,000 people attended, including the future Cardinal Francis George.
