a week of catholic women
We have four great women saints who are honored by the Church this week.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is also known as Mother Cabrini. Frances was born near Milan, Italy, and grew up wanting to be a missionary sister. She thought that meant going to the East to bring the Gospel to those in China or Japan. She formed a community of women known as the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She went to Rome to meet with the pope to ask him to send them to the East. He asked her, rather, that they go to America and to work with the immigrants there. The sisters went to New York and began work there.
Mother Cabrini founded many schools throughout the United States and worked with orphans and other needy immigrants. She died in 1917, and in 1946, she was canonized a saint.
Mother Cabrini founded many schools throughout the United States and worked with orphans and other needy immigrants. She died in 1917, and in 1946, she was canonized a saint.
St. Margaret of Scotland
Margaret was born into royalty. Her father was an exiled prince of Scotland. Later she would marry Malcolm III, the King of Scotland. Known for her great piety, she was instrumental in reforming the Church in Scotland. Margaret was known for her many works of charity. She died in 1093 AD.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
St. Elizabeth is important to us in the Diocese of Covington because she is the patron saint of the hospital system made up of the four St. Elizabeth Hospitals. And she is the patron saint of all hospitals and nurses.
Like Margaret of Scotland, Elizabeth was from royalty. She was a princess, and she used her wealth and position to start a hospital. She spent the rest of her life working in the hospital caring for the patients. She was also a member of the Third Order Franciscans.
Elizabeth died in 1231 and was canonized four years later for her generosity, faith, and service of the sick.
Like Margaret of Scotland, Elizabeth was from royalty. She was a princess, and she used her wealth and position to start a hospital. She spent the rest of her life working in the hospital caring for the patients. She was also a member of the Third Order Franciscans.
Elizabeth died in 1231 and was canonized four years later for her generosity, faith, and service of the sick.
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Rose Philippine Duchesne was born in France in 1769. She was sent by her family to be educated at a monastery. When the French Revolution happened, they shut down the monastery, and she returned to her family’s home. Eventually, she joined the Society of the Sacred Heart. She and some of the other sisters were sent, first to New Orleans, and later to Missouri and Kansas. There she worked with the Native American people.
Rose died in 1855 at 83 years old. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
Rose died in 1855 at 83 years old. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
