Episode Eighteen: Frances Xavier Cabrini

0:00Hi, this is Kylie. Thank you all for listening to Lent with the Saints and for sending in your questions. I loved hearing from you. I will be answering three of your questions in a bonus episode this weekend. This special episode comes out on Sunday at LentWithTheSaints.com or wherever you listen to the podcast. Lent with the Saints from the Marybeggers. Episode 18. Francis Xavier Cabrini. Hi, this is Kylie from the Marybeggers. Hi, this is Kylie from the Marybeggers. Today, I have a story to tell you about Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini. She was a world traveler, but wherever she went, she knew how to celebrate the liturgical seasons, like Lent.

1:02We're a few weeks into Lent now. We're a few weeks into Lent now. Have you noticed anything different about the mass during Lent? The color of the vestments that the priest wears have changed to purple. You probably noticed that. But there are also a couple of important prayers that disappeared at Ash Wednesday. Can you think of what they are? That's right. We don't say that Alleluia during the mass in Lent. That word will come back and will say and sing it a lot at Easter. But for now, during Lent, it's gone. Can you guess why? Well, Alleluia comes from the Hebrew word meaning Praise God. It's a very joyful word that we use in our liturgies. But during Lent, we replace it with Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, before the gospel. Think of why that might be. Remember back to yesterday when we spoke about penance.

2:05It's because Lent is a penitential season. Some days, we don't feel very joyful or excited. Jesus knows this and He wants to be with us in those days as well as our good days. In Lent, we focus on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. This can help us to remember His closeness to us in times when we're sad or lonely or afraid. One way we remember this is by saving the Alleluia for Easter time. One will celebrate how Jesus rose from the dead so that we can be with Him in heaven one day. Francis Xavier Cabrini was a saint who knew a lot about both penance and joyful celebrations. She was an Italian religious sister who traveled all over the world as a missionary. She founded Convents, Schools and Orphanages in many countries, including the United States.

3:05She spent her life helping poor children and people who had no place to call home. Everyone called her Mother Cabrini. Although Mother Cabrini didn't have much money, she used everything she had to care for the many poor children she was responsible for. Mother Cabrini was able to accomplish difficult things because she loved Jesus and because she trusted Him to take care of everything she needed. This gave her a joyful heart even when she was making sacrifices. Let's listen to this scene from her life when Mother Cabrini was buying furniture for a new orphanage in New York City. Although she didn't have much money, Mother Cabrini was determined to get beds for the boys and girls in her care. Imagine the scene. Next up, we have this lovely side table, Real Mahogany. There are a few scratches. How much to open the auction? One of my bid? $8. $8 bit by the tiny nun who comes here every day? $8. Say 10. Who says 10?

4:07I say 10. 10? 10? 10? 11. Who says 12? 12? 12. 12. Can I say 13? 13? 14. 15? 15 for this polished side table? 15 for the side table? 16. 16 from the lady with the violet parasol. 16? Mother? You got 17? Do I hear 17? A few dollars more and you'd secure it? I won't go any higher. You've been here for hours and bought nothing. I won't throw my penny away simply because I'm tired. Going, going, gone! Sold for 17 to the lady with the violet parasol. I haven't seen you here before. What's your name? Maria. It's nice to meet you, Maria. What are you looking for? A dining table.

5:07I have a little extra to spend this month. What about you? I am furnishing the orphanage on East 59th Street. Are you Mother Cabrini? See. I knew it. I have to thank you. A hundred orphans have a home with you already. But please, you must be careful. People will try and cheat you. And you need to get away from that Irish bishop. He is my father in Holy Mother Church. The Irish have it out for us Italians. I'm warning you. Thank you. Two rugs and a bed frame missing a leg selling as a set. $40. I hear 40. Can I say 50? 50? 45? No takers? 45 against the nun? Last call.

6:08Thank you for coming to see me, Mother Cabrini. I came as soon as I received your note about Manresa. I wouldn't have heard about it without you. It's a bargain. And I know you're a shrewd businesswoman. Oh. I offer Captain Romana legal counsel. I see. He's a fickle man. And you smell that rat out right away. What are they asking? And why are they leaving Manresa in such haste? The Jesuits are willing to part with Manresa for an absurdly small figure. I fear their Christian charity is getting the better of them. Are you sure? I've written up the details of the sale here. Manresa has served as the Jesuits novitiate in the cat skills, but they are moving to the eastern bank of the river. I need a novitiate in New York. It has beautiful grounds. You could get all those little orphans out of little Italy into the mountains with fresh air and gorgeous views. And the buildings? Two large houses and a smaller one for the farm workers.

7:11All in good condition and fully furnished. Though I will admit the furnishings are rather shabby. I don't understand why they're selling at this price. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, mother. You won't see a deal like this again. I'll think it over. Take your time. Drop by the office when you've signed it. I will. Have a good day. See you soon. My little nun. Hello, operator. Get me Captain Romano. Captain! I gave them on the contract. We should have it wrapped up by tomorrow. Someone should teach her not to trust every bargain. You should see a nuns. They're so small. They'll never notice the water supply is grossly inadequate. I don't even feel guilty. Not a bit.

8:11They can hike 20 minutes and wash their habits in the Hudson. Whoa, you're so high up. Yippee, I'm king. I bet I could climb higher than you. How? You weigh more than me and the branches are getting skinny. Still, I could do it. Look, mother's back. What did you get? Did you find more beds? Yes, Dominic. But we need to find some wood to add a missing leg. That's easy. Sister Beatrice will show me how. I also bought two rugs which will make everything cosy. And you drug them all the way here in your little cart? If I'd hired a horse, I wouldn't have had enough money to buy these. Mother, you'll work yourself sick. I'm always sick, sister. But that hasn't hurt our mission yet. You look feverish.

9:12Dominic, get some other boys to carry these things into the house and upstairs. Yes, mother. I'll rest after the party for our feast day. Good. What's troubling you? The boys won't listen to me, mother. When I correct them, they just get worse. Not better. A correction done poorly or at the wrong time does more harm than good. Try to focus less on their faults and more on the gifts God has hidden in our rowdy boys. Yes, mother. How is your English coming? Not very fast. Diligent Veronica. We must learn to speak English so we can teach the children. America is their home now. And they must know the language. Happy feast of the sacred heart.

10:15Did you bring us candy? I bring you a bed and you're asking for candy. And feast days, of course I have candy for all of you. And we will dance and sing all night. Mother Cabrini often went without the things she liked. She made many sacrifices so the children she cared for could have a good, comfortable home and even candy on feast days. She worked tirelessly so that she could help as many people as possible. Wherever she was, whether in New York or New Orleans, mother Cabrini sacrificed cheerfully and celebrated feast days joyfully. On feast days and in the seasons around them, it's good to dance and sing alleluia and eat candy. We'll see that in Easter. It's such a big and joyful feast that it can't be contained in just a single day. No, the season of Easter stretches out to a whole 50 days. See how much we have to look forward to after lunch?

11:17But first, we must live this penitential season. Today, set a timer before you do something you enjoy, like coloring with markers or listening to a Mary beggar's audio drama. When the timer goes off, stop what you're doing and say, Jesus, this is for you with a big smile. Then spend some time talking to Jesus or helping your parents and siblings with things they like or need to do. You'll be giving with a big heart just like mother Cabrini, and you'll be showing your family Jesus's love for them when you help them. Thank you for listening today. I'm excited to be with you again tomorrow for Funnily enough, another story about beds. Until then, Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini pray for us. To listen to all of Lent with the Saints and to get a free coloring Saints book, go to LentwiththeSaints.com.