Subj : November 13th - Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Foundress To : All From : rich Date : Thu Nov 12 2020 09:05:12 From: rich November 13th - Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Foundress (1850-1917) Dear to the hearts of American Catholics in many regions of the United States, Saint Frances Cabrini, foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, patroness of immigrants, was the first citizen of the United States to be canonized. Born in Lombardy, Italy, the youngest of 13 children, she was fired with missionary zeal as a little girl, through family reading of the Annals of the Propagation of the Faith. She gave up sweets because she would also be without them in China, where she aspired to go. She earned a teacher's certificate and applied to two Orders having missionary houses, but was rejected for reasons of health. Reluctantly, at the request of her bishop, she tried to save an orphanage and make of its staff a religious community, but after six hard years the work collapsed. And Frances, by then thirty years old, initiated her own missionary community with seven of her associates from the orphanage. Bishop Scalabrini suggested they work with Italian immigrants, especially in the United States, as the Congregation of Saint Charles which he had founded was doing; but Mother Cabrini's heart was set on China. She asked counsel of Pope Leo XIII. "Go not to the East," he told her, "but to the West." Founding schools, hospitals and charitable works of every kind, she would cross the ocean thirty times, bringing bands of young Italian Sisters to North and South America. Her amusing community letter, during her second trip to New York, gives a typical picture of these missionary voyages: "This morning all the Sisters woke up very ill. Some of them thought they were going to die... Those who trusted my words rose and tried to eat, and presently were looking quite well. The others who thought death was at hand stayed in their rooms awaiting it..." Her letters are filled with the practical motherly instruction of a foundress who knew she was loved and imitated by her Sisters. "When you are corrected do not justify yourself. Remain silent and practice virtue, whether you are right or wrong, otherwise we may dream of perfection but will never attain it." (Oct. 17-20, 1892) "Love is not loved, my daughters! Love is not loved!" (Aug. 21, 1890) "Renounce yourselves entirely if you wish to enjoy peace... She who is not holy will make no one holy." (Oct. 17, 1892) Explaining why she did not accompany some Sisters on a boat excursion she wrote, "I admit my weakness, I am afraid of the sea. And if there is no very holy motive in view, I have no courage to go where I fear danger, unless sent by obedience. For then, of course, one's movements are blessed by God." Mother Cabrini died at 67, suddenly and alone in one of her Chicago hospitals, while preparing Christmas presents for 500 children. Source: Lives of the Saints: Daily Readings, by Augustine Kalberer, O.S.B. (Franciscan Herald Press: Chicago, 1975). Saint Quote: Chastity, or cleanness of heart, holds a glorious and distinguished place among the virtues, because she, alone, enables man to see God; hence Truth itself said, "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God." -- St. Augustine Bible Quote: "But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly."=C2 [Psalm 68:3] <><><><> THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL (Imprimatur 1946) 11th Day OUR DUTY TO RELIEVE THE SOULS IN PURGATORY In bestowing charity upon any person, we are usually guided by the degree of his poverty; but, who is in such great need as he who possesses absolutely nothing, owes a heavy debt, is unable to labor or gain any merit, or even to beg, and must nevertheless suffer the most excruciating torments until the last farthing has been paid? There is a universal law to assist the needy, which extends even to strangers ; but here the obligation is greatest, because among these souls in Purgatory, are such as were intimately connected with us, who suffer, perhaps, for having loved us excessively. Among the sufferers are our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends. How exceedingly painful for them to be forgotten and deserted even by those whose happiness they promoted during their sojourn upon earth; to see the possessions left to their children foolishly squandered, they themselves not receiving the benefit of the least farthing thereof ! What proofs of extreme coldness and ingratitude ! Were any of these persons afflicted with the least pain upon earth, we would do all in our power to relieve them, but, as it is, we are devoid of all sympathy, and leave them in their terrible suffering and anguish. Prayer: Have mercy, O Lord, upon the suffering souls in Purgatory, and mitigate the severity of Thy judgment, that they, who, during their earthly lives believed in Thee hoped in Thee, and loved Thee, may receive the crown of justice in Heaven. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who are suffering for their negligence in-praying for the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times) Practice: Suffer patiently the disagreeable occurrences in your intercourse with others. Invocation: My Jesus, mercy! --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .