About Us - The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

Who is Mother Cabrini?

The Saint Who Walks Beside You

From humble, fragile beginnings in rural Italy, Frances Xavier Cabrini grew into a trailblazer of hope—overcoming repeated rejection and daunting health challenges to become the first American citizen saint and a spiritual mother to all who journey far from home.

Sent by Pope Leo XIII to the United States, she braved her deepest fears and crossed the ocean 27 times, founding schools, hospitals, and orphanages on three continents. Her bold trust in Christ—rooted in daily prayer, love for the Eucharist, and these words from Saint Paul, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me”—transformed cities and countless hearts.

For those who face uncertainty or long for meaning, her life is a living testimony that God can use every weakness for something extraordinary. In Cabrini, you find a companion for your own challenges, and a guide for turning faith into life-changing action.

Learn More About Her Story

A Legacy of Service & Faith

Cabrini’s Impact in Chicago—and Beyond

Schools, Hospitals, and Healing:
Responding to both spiritual and material poverty, Cabrini built Assumption School in 1899 (the city’s first Italian parochial school, always tuition-free) and Columbus Hospital in 1905—serving immigrants, orphans, and the sick. Her practical genius (even measuring land herself to protect the poor’s interests) ensured lasting integrity in all she built.
Innovation Rooted in Faith:
She launched a creative financial model—using funds from Columbus Hospital’s affluent patients to build a sister hospital, Columbus Extension, for the city’s poor. Led by the Missionary Sisters she founded, these “Three C’s” (Columbus, Cabrini, Cuneo Hospitals) cared for generations of Chicagoans.
The Cabrini Green Legacy:
After her death, the Cabrini Townhomes were built in her honor—a reminder of her commitment to dignified, supportive community living, even for the most vulnerable.
Major Affiliations:
The Shrine is entrusted to the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, affiliated with the Archdiocese of Chicago, and recognized by the Vatican as a place of special spiritual significance.
A Living Legacy:
Each year, thousands find peace, healing, and a call to mission here—not only through prayer and sacraments, but through active works of mercy, food drives, immigrant resource support, educational programs, and pilgrimages.

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The National Shrine

A Haven of Peace and Welcome

The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini rises on sacred ground in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, inviting every seeker—whatever their story—into a sanctuary where prayer and purpose come alive.

Here, you’ll step into the rooms where Cabrini lived, worked, and died, venerate her holy relics, and be surrounded by luminous art, a papal altar, and the reverent hush of ongoing worship. Our restored chapel and tranquil garden aren’t just historical monuments; they are places where Christ is encountered now—where pilgrims from all walks of life come for healing, hope, or simply a quiet moment close to God.

Every visitor, whether burdened or curious, is welcomed into a living legacy of mercy and mission, with space to rest, pray, and discover their next step.

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Founded by Mother Cabrini in 1880, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are women driven by prayer, united by community, and emboldened by a love that reaches to those most in need.

Rooted in the Sacred Heart, their ministry flows out to immigrants, children, and the poor—offering education, health care, pastoral care, and accompaniment in 17 countries.

The Sisters serve not just with hands and expertise, but with hearts formed by Christ: bringing His mercy to places often overlooked, inviting each person to know they are seen and cherished. In Chicago, they continue Cabrini’s legacy at the Shrine; across the world, they model faith in action.

Learn More About The Sisters' Story