Born in Italy in 1850, Frances Xavier Cabrini grew up in a small village in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano during a time when travel was slow, women had limited roles, and illness often decided a person’s future. Physically weak as a child and often sick, she was not expected to live long.
She later became a nun and founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, originally dreaming of becoming a missionary in China. Instead, the Pope sent her to the United States.
She arrived in New York in 1889, when Italian immigrants were among the poorest groups in the city. Many lived in overcrowded areas, worked dangerous jobs, and had little access to schools or medical care. Children were often left unattended, sick, or abandoned.
In response, she built what was missing—schools, orphanages, and hospitals—when support was often limited and requests were frequently turned down.
Based on how Frances Xavier Cabrini lived, there may have been a moment like this.
Perhaps one time, she went to a wealthy man known for refusing requests. She explained the need. He listened. Then came the familiar answer—no support, no help.
Instead of arguing or pushing the idea further, she stood up. And maybe, before leaving, she said something like this:
“I will pray that God gives you a more generous heart.”
Then she walked out, trusting that God would provide what was needed.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ
