Mother cabrini milestones

Portrait of Mother Cabrini in her religious habit and cross, with an ocean liner on one side and the Chicago skyline on the other

Childhood and faith

  1. 1850July 15

    Birth of Francesca Cabrini

    Born in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy.

  2. 1857July 1

    Confirmation

    Francesca receives the Sacrament of Confirmation.

  3. 1859April 24

    First Holy Communion

    Francesca receives her First Holy Communion on Easter Sunday.

Founding her mission

  1. 1880November 14

    Foundation of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

    Mother Cabrini establishes the Institute of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

  2. 1889June 27

    First Rule written

    The first Rule for the Missionary Sisters is written.

  3. 1907July 12

    Approval of the Rules

    The Holy See signs the Decree of Approval of the Rules.

Life in America

  1. 1909October 13

    Becomes a United States citizen

    Mother Cabrini becomes a naturalized citizen of the United States.

  2. 1917December 22

    Death of Mother Cabrini

    Mother Cabrini dies in Chicago.

Recognition and legacy

  1. 1938November 13

    Beatification of Mother Cabrini

    The Church formally declares her Blessed.

  2. 1946July 7

    Canonization of Mother Cabrini

    Frances Xavier Cabrini is declared a saint.

  3. 1950September 8

    Universal Patroness of Immigrants

    Mother Cabrini is proclaimed the Universal Patroness of Immigrants.

Marks the defining moments of her life and mission.

We honor St. Frances Xavier Cabrini by remembering the significant moments along her remarkable journey—from her birth in a small town in northern Italy to her proclamation as the Universal Patroness of Immigrants. We invite you to explore these important milestones in the life of Mother Cabrini.

In April 1912, Mother Cabrini planned to visit her sisters in England before returning to New York. They bought her a ticket on the brand-new RMS Titanic to make the trip home more comfortable.

Then word arrived that Columbus Hospital in New York was overflowing and needed her for an urgent expansion. She changed her plans, skipped England, and sailed early from Naples on a different ship. The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912.

Mother Cabrini scheduled to board the Titantic: