Dec 22nd - Frances Xavier Cabrini

Mother Cabrini, filled with missionary zeal, was too sickly to join the order that had taught and nourished her Faith. Instead she became the foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, patroness of immigrants, though not native born was the first citizen of the United States to be canonized. It was a big day for us all as the Faith and growth of the American Church was finally being recognized.
I guess it is that way for so many countries where Faith was brought but others but its growth and depth does not seem to produce anyone one found to be worthy or even thought to have their cause for sainthood brought forth. There is a pride but also a desire not just to see ones self in such an honor but to see that the work being done in those countries is as important and fruitful as any other country. Certainly the number of martyrs produced in so many countries and societies is an example for us but also it is nice to see the everyday, the patient and compassionate who die for the Faith but just slowly over many years.
She spent so much of her time recruiting sisters to come to fill her hospitals, schools, orphanages, and encouraging those she recruited that it seems that she had time for little else, but that was not true. She died suddenly putting together presents for children in one of her orphanages.
I think that we often forget, especially this close to Christmas, that it is the little things that bring Christ into the world.

---

Renounce yourselves entirely if you wish to enjoy peace, and let those who are around you partake of your joy, and thus also have the desire, when occasion arises, of co-operating for the salvation of souls.

-- Letter of Thursday, October 15th, 1892