St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

(1850-1917) She was the youngest of thirteen children, and when she was orphaned, she decided to follow religious life. She was first invited to take over an orphanage that was being poorly managed, but when it was closed, she was invited by the bishop of Todi, Italy to found an institution. She moved into an abandoned Franciscan friary with seven others and founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, which was dedicated to educating girls. Later, Frances went to New York to work with Italian immigrants. After much travel, her congregation spread all over the U.S., Italy, South and Central America, and England. Final approval was given in 1907 by Rome. She became an American citizen in 1909, and by her death in 1917, there were more than 50 hospitals, schools, orphanages, and others in existence. She was the first American to be canonized, and is the patroness of immigrants.
Photo Credit: Catholic Culture All information from Pocket Dictionary of Saints