Mother Cabrini became a U.S. citizen in 1909.

At the time of her death in 1917, she had founded 67 institutions around the world.

Pope Pius XI beatified Mother Cabrini in 1938 and Pope Pius XII canonized her in 1946. She became the first American citizen to be canonized.

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.

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.”

80th Anniversary of Canonization

july 7, 2026

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.