10 Lessons from Mother Cabrini to Inspire Us This Cabrini Day

(Photo courtesy of Mother Cabrini Shrine)

By Molly Johnson

Each year on the first Monday of October, Coloradans celebrate Cabrini Day — a holiday that honors the life and legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Known to the faithful as Mother Cabrini, she was a woman of extraordinary faith and compassion whose influence stretched from the foothills of Colorado to communities across the United States and around the world.

Her connection to Colorado is both historic and enduring. In the early 1900s, Mother Cabrini opened the Queen of Heaven Orphanage in Denver. She also established a summer camp for orphans in the foothills west of Denver, a site that would later become Mother Cabrini Shrine. For almost 80 years, pilgrims have come to the Shrine in search of healing, peace and inspiration, finding strength in Mother’s example of faith and service.

But Mother Cabrini’s reach extended far beyond Colorado. She crossed the Atlantic more than 20 times, founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and established 67 schools, hospitals and orphanages around the world. In 1946, she was canonized as the first American citizen saint, and in 1950, she was declared the patroness of immigrants. Her life continues to inspire people across cultures and continents.

Cabrini Day reminds us that her legacy is alive in Colorado, across the nation, and throughout the world. As we celebrate this October, here are ten lessons from Mother Cabrini’s life that can guide us in faith and in daily living.

1. Welcome the Stranger

When Mother Cabrini arrived in New York in 1889, she quickly recognized the needs of immigrant families as they worked to build new lives. In response, she established schools, orphanages and hospitals that offered education, care and hope for the future. Her work created places where people found dignity and belonging, a living witness to the Gospel’s call to welcome the stranger and one another with love.

2. Live Generously

Even when resources were scarce, Mother Cabrini gave of herself completely. She poured out her time, energy and love for the good of others. Her generosity shows that giving is not measured by abundance, but by the willingness to serve without reserve.

3. Persevere Against the Odds

Born premature in 1850, Mother Cabrini struggled with poor health throughout her life and was often told she was too frail and physically weak for religious life. Yet she refused to be discouraged. With determination and trust in the Heart of Jesus, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart and went on to establish 67 schools, hospitals and orphanages around the world. Her life shows that perseverance, rooted in faith, can turn weakness into strength.

4. Show Compassion Daily

Even while overseeing large institutions, Mother Cabrini never lost sight of personal encounters. She visited the sick, comforted children and listened to families in need. Her life shows us that holiness is found not only in great accomplishments, but also in the daily acts of compassion that reveal Christ’s love.

5. Face Fear with Faith

As a child, Mother Cabrini nearly drowned, leaving her with a lifelong fear of water. Still, she crossed the Atlantic more than 20 times to continue her mission of service. Her life shows us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to move forward despite it.

6. Start Small, Dream Big

Many of Mother Cabrini’s greatest works began with almost nothing — just a few of her Missionary Sisters, limited resources and trust in God. From those small beginnings grew schools, hospitals and other missions that continue to serve today. Her story reminds us that great works of faith often start with humble steps.

7. Find a Way Forward

Mother Cabrini often encountered closed doors — lack of funding, resistance from leaders or skepticism about her plans. Instead of giving up, she looked for another way. When told “no,” she searched for a “yes” elsewhere, turning setbacks into new opportunities to serve. Her example challenges us to face our own roadblocks with creativity, faith and determination.

8. Be Open to God’s Path

Mother Cabrini longed to serve as a missionary in China, but Pope Leo XIII told her instead, “Not to the east, but to the west.” That unexpected change brought her to America, where her ministry flourished. In our own lives, when plans shift or doors close, we can remain open to God’s plan for us, trusting that his guidance can open doors we never expected.

9. Carry Hope Forward

Mother Cabrini inspired faith and courage in those she taught, served and led, and her example continues to encourage people around the world today. We carry hope forward when we share our faith, nurture those entrusted to us, and strengthen our communities with love. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recently invited all the faithful to be “Keepers of Hope” by taking the Cabrini Pledge as the Catholic Church in the United States observes the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on October 4-5.

10. Keep Prayer at the Center

Amid her tireless work, Mother Cabrini always returned to prayer. She drew her strength from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, beginning and ending each day in his presence. Her example shows that prayer is not separate from service but the source that sustains it.

Cabrini Day at the Shrine

Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden continues the mission of its patron saint every day — offering a place of prayer, pilgrimage and hospitality where people encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus and draw inspiration from Mother Cabrini’s life.

How fortunate we are in Colorado to have this sacred space in our backyard, where we can come to seek her intercession and guidance!

This year, Cabrini Day will be celebrated at the Shrine on Sunday, October 5, with Masses at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. (Spanish). A Celebration of Nations will take place at the Shrine that afternoon from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m., highlighting food, culture and traditions from around the world. That evening at 5:00 p.m., the Shrine will offer an Adoration hour with music, prayer and readings from Mother Cabrini, with the opportunity for confessions and a Jubilee Year of Hope indulgence. On Monday, October 6, Cabrini Day will conclude at the Shrine with a noon Mass.

All are invited to come, pray and honor Mother Cabrini’s legacy — carrying forward her lessons of faith, courage and hope. Learn more at mothercabrinishrine.org.

— Molly Johnson grew up in Arvada and graduated from Holy Family High School and Cabrini University. Having spent much of her childhood at Mother Cabrini Shrine, where her mother has served for nearly 40 years and is now the executive director, Molly has seen firsthand how the saint’s mission continues to touch lives. She is grateful for the ways her own life has been shaped by Mother Cabrini’s example and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.