Today is Nov. 13, memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin.
In the readings for today’s Mass, we hear St. Paul say, “When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Ti 3:4-5).
I don’t know if you had the chance last year to see the incredible new film about Mother Cabrini. Released by Angel Studios (the producers of “The Chosen”), the biopic released in theaters nationwide told the inspiring story of Mother Cabrini, the heroic servant of Italian immigrants in the United States.
I loved the film. My only criticism, and others made this same point at the time of the film’s release, is that despite the excellent and compelling way it portrayed Mother’s courage and ingenuity, viewers did not receive a taste of her deep spirituality.
God and God alone occupied the central place in Mother’s heart. “Live abandoned to God and let Him treat you according to His pleasure,” Mother Cabrini wrote. “What does it matter if it be Golgotha, Tabor, or Gethsemane? It is enough to know that we are with Him.”
Mother Cabrini could only do what she did because she had become a true spouse of Christ. She wrote in a letter to her sisters: “Troubles should never frighten the Spouse of Christ, but render her steadfast. Do not be discouraged by repulses and contradictions, but always go forward with the serenity of the angels, keeping to your path despite every contrary influence.”
Each of us, too, can take heart from Mother Cabrini’s example. Do you face hardship or trial? A difficulty or a challenger? Mother Cabrini says, “When things are easy, all appears to smile, but difficulties prove where there is fidelity and constancy.” Following her example, let us surrender to Christ today, trusting that all things will work together for the good of souls.
Take a moment to surrender a difficult situation in your life today, asking for Mother Cabrini’s intercession:
God our Father, who called Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini from Italy to serve the immigrants of America, by her example, teach us to have concern for the stranger, the sick, and all those in need, and by her prayers help us to see Christ in all the men and women we meet. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
My Daily Visitor spiritual reflections are a dose of daily Catholic inspiration from Our Sunday Visitor magazine.
Get these reflections in your inbox: Sign up here!
