November 2026 Cabrini Reflection
Small Beginnings: The Mustard Seed
Mother Cabrini began all her missions with only a few Missionary Sisters, no resources, and meager outside support. Many tried to discourage her. She faced one obstacle after another. Even the Bishop of New York told her to go home before she had a chance to begin her mission in America. Mother Cabrini did have one thing: indomitable faith in God. That made all the difference!
She planted small seeds that in time grew into large institutions including schools, orphanages, hospitals, and clinics that helped thousands of people around the world. Mother Cabrini is living proof that great works of faith start from humble beginnings. Mother Cabrini became aware through her spiritual life that God delights in quiet obedience and unseen acts of faithfulness. Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed--the smallest of all seeds that grows into the largest of trees. Those who work to build the Kingdom of God start with tiny initial steps of faith.
Mother Cabrini asked the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the virtue of humility as she began her mission. Mother Cabrini wrote in her Retreat Journal in 1892, “I desire to receive a great grace in this retreat; that is, to value small things, which are not little in themselves because they are willed by God who is infinitely great. It is we who call them little, because we don’t have the light of living and true faith which animates the soul.”
From very small beginnings, she realized her great dream. Her motto was Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Saint Frances Cabrini wrote, “There may be someone who will say, ‘I am weak, poor, and ignorant and do not dare to undertake such a task.’ I say, Have no fear. Distrust yourself and trust in Jesus. The one who calls us is the same Jesus who said, ‘Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ How shall we attain such perfection? By the grace of Him who imposes this on us. With God all is possible.”
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