Greater love has no one, than to lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 (Comunion Antiphon)
God love teachers! They must rank high on God’s favorites’ list, for all they endure in today’s milieu. Doing their job as an imparter of knowledge is only the tip of the iceberg, for they must play so many other roles in nurturing their students. Today’s saint, Frances Xavier Cabrini, started her teaching career in an orphanage, in Italy. Those children, too, had needs far exceeding reading, writing, and ‘arithmetic, which Maria Francesca Cabrini soon realized. She taught for six years until, at age thirty, she entered religious life. Three years later she founded her congregation for women, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.
In 1889, just nine years later, when her fame had spread, Pope Leo XIII asked Sister Frances Xavier to travel to the United States to work with poor Italian immigrants. Frances Xavier Cabrini, often called “Mother Cabrini” was so successful in her work in New York City, that her congregation spread throughout the United States, in Italy, Central and South America, and England. She became an American citizen and is the first American canonized saint. Despite her missionary tasks and travels, the most important to Mother Cabrini was her life of prayer. All her success was attributed to prayer, constant prayer, never tiring, persistent prayer. Especially when I am busy, do I turn to God in prayer? Good and Gracious God, bless my prayers.
When I am busy do I take time for prayer?
Good and Gracious God, bless my prayers.
Today's reflection is by:
Sister Marlene Weidenborner
Did you know...
Sister Marlene Weidenborner, OSF, is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY. A religious for over 60 years, most of Sister’s ministerial life has been lived out in the various dioceses of Florida. Currently, Sister serves as the Vicar for Religious in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
