The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were founded in 1880 by Francesca Cabrini, in Codogno, a province in the Lodi, Lombardi region of Northern Italy, and are dedicated to serving the marginalized with the purpose to be “bearers of the love of Christ."
Historically, where our current Shrine stands, was home to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, a missionary woman religious, who helped shape America’s social and health care system in the early twentieth century, having a profound effect on Chicago. She was devoted to taking care of the poor, immigrants, orphans, women and children. Mother Cabrini lived, worked and died in Chicago, having established 67 institutions of care around the world. We celebrate her life by providing a spiritual sanctuary at The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini.
Here in Chicago, The National Shrine focuses on a spiritual mission reflecting the ideals of Mother Cabrini by welcoming and educating pilgrims from around the globe. Our Missionary Sisters are active in providing outreach and resources to the broader population of the marginalized. We believe there are not many places where a saint once actually lived, worked and died. The corner of Lakeview Avenue and St. James Place in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood is sacred space and holy ground as Mother Cabrini once walked these streets providing to the spiritual and physical needs of many. The Shrine is a space for healing prayer, worship, devotion, and reconciliation, and has a landmark presence, continuing the legacy that began on this holy ground over 100 years ago.
Spiritually, It is the only National Shrine dedicated to the first American citizen to be canonized a Saint by the Catholic Church. Visitors come daily from around the world to visit this sacred space. Our funding comes from the generosity of our community as we stand alone as a 501 (c) 3 organization.
