Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini: Cecchina's Dream

Encounter the Saints #20

by Victoria Dority

The inspiring story of "Mother Cabrini," the first American citizen to be declared a saint! As a child growing up in Italy, Frances dreamt of becoming a missionary to China. But it seemed that God wanted her to go to America instead. When Pope Leo XIII told her, "Go West, not East," she knew what God's plan was for her. Mother Cabrini and her sisters set up schools, hospitals, and orphanages throughout the states--especially helping vast communities of Italian immigrants.

Genres: Biography, Childrens

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a family we have read over 30 books in this series so far. I started reading them myself reading books on Saint Damien and Edith Stein. Then started reading them with my three youngest children. My children and I love this series. We have read many of the books more than once. But this book is different than many of the others in, if not all the others in the series. It is one of the few not written by a Sister of Saint Paul, or Sister of Notre Dame.

This is an excellent series is! Between my three children and I we have now read nearly all of the books in this series. I read them either by myself, or with one or more child. My youngest 2 children ages 13, 10, still both love these books. And they have read or reread them to us. My son wants to have the complete set in his room, so he keeps asking to buy his own set, because he loves these books so much. We have picked up several volumes to donate to the school library. I would love to have the whole set in the school library as a resource when the students are picking confirmation saints. Each time we read a book in the series we appreciate this series more. We hope there will be more books released in the series in the future. I would love to see how this series handles Saint Josemaria Escriva, Blessed Carlo Actus, … and many more. We would also like to eventually see eBooks of all of the volumes in the series. With my dyslexia and my son’s eye tracking issues we both prefer eBooks where we can change page color, font size and font spacing. This book has an eBook listed but I cannot find it, as it is listed at currently unavailable.

Now back to this specific book on Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini.

The description of this volume is:

“The inspiring story of "Mother Cabrini," the first American citizen to be declared a saint! As a child growing up in Italy, Frances dreamt of becoming a missionary to China. But it seemed that God wanted her to go to America instead. When Pope Leo XIII told her, "Go West, not East," she knew what God's plan was for her. Mother Cabrini and her sisters set up schools, hospitals, and orphanages throughout the states--especially helping vast communities of Italian immigrants.”

The chapters in this volume are:

1. “Cecchina” for Short
2. The Seed Is Planted
3. Violets for Sail
4. Mama and Papa Say “Yes”
5. Patience and Honey
6. The Dreaded Pox
7. Just Two Weeks...
8. The Sisters of Providence
9. Mother Frances Xavier
10. The Cement Factory
11. Beginnings
12. The World Is Too Small
13. Roman Adventure
14. To the West!
15. New York
16. God’s Well Runs Deep
17. Eternity to Rest
18. The Dream Continues
Prayer
Glossary

The prayer in this volume is:

“Saint Frances Cabrini, when you were young, you dreamed of belonging to God in a special way. You had many obstacles to overcome, but you didn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of your dream. Jesus and Mary became your best friends, and you counted on them to guide you in following your heart’s desire.

I pray that I, too, may discover my dream and set my heart on its path, placing my trust in Jesus to help me see it through. Help me to remember that I can do all things in God who strengthens me.

Be my guide, Saint Frances, and pray to God for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you. Amen.”

The prayer in this volume is the very different to the one as in the companion volume, The Saints Pray for Us, which has prays for the first 30 saints and blessed covered in the series. This book is a wonderful read. Learning about Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini was a blessing. Learning about her early years was especially inspiring for my children. To lean about all she was told that she could not do, or would not be able to do, and to see God bring it to pass. And how God worked toi make happen what he placed on her heart.

As mentioned, this is the only volume written by Victoria Dority, MSC and
Mary Lou Andes, MSC. It is one of 7 illustrated by Barbara Kiwak. Each book in this series has 5 illustrations, a wonderful glossary and a prayer.

I read this volume a few years back and did not get around to reviewing it. This time I made sure to review it after finishing it. My youngest daughter was fascinated by this story and now wants to find out more about this saint. And next year she will be picking her confirmation saint, so who knows. This book was a great read from beginning to end. Because we were reading it together it took several days. It is one of my youngest daughters’ favourites. I really enjoyed this book, and all three children and I love this series! We have now read over 30 of the books in the Encounter the Saints Series from Pauline Books and Media. And everyone has been worth the read. An excellent read in a wonderful series!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I can do all things in God, who strengthens me."
A lovely, inspiring book for children written by two Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus about their foundress, St. Frances Cabrini. Her story is hopeful and encouraging. She is one of many women saints who had to butt heads with the hierarchy. Never take no for an answer if you know God has told you the answer is yes.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This saint's story has several examples of patience and perseverance when God's plan is different than our preferred actions.