Reflection from the General Council
Sr. Bernadette Anello, MSC
Pope Francis has often reminded us that we are all poor and fragile. Mother Francesca Cabrini knew this well in her own life, and therefore, depended wholly on God. Inspired by the words of St. Paul, her motto became “I can do all things in Him Who strengthens me.”
This past year, in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, tribute has been paid to our Foundress in two areas of New York City, Manhattan and Brooklyn, for her presence and untiring work on behalf of immigrants and people in need. Soon after her canonization in 1946, she was honored as Patroness of Immigrants, and at the dawn of the new millennium, the Church gave her yet another title: Missionary of the New Evangelization. She was the Apostle of Love.
This petite woman was intent on wasting no time to spread the love of Jesus wherever she went. The world was too small for her, and so today we, Missionary Sisters, Cabrini Lay Missionaries, Partners in Mission, and all our other collaborators and co-workers, continue her legacy in Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Even a pandemic could not stop this force of Love; the need has been too great.
Worldwide, we continue to see people on the move due to displacement, fleeing from violence, war and corruption, seeking a safe haven for their loved ones. The chaos of a virus that has spread into the far reaches of almost every country resulting in lives lost, sickness, separation, unemployment, instability in the economy, and concerns about the future. Through all this, we rely on the grace of our God to do our part in the various missions around our globe, just as Mother Cabrini did. Together, we can, and do, make a difference in being Bearers of the Love of Jesus.