42. BITESIZE CATECHISM: ST. FRANCESCA CABRINI & CHURCH TEACHING ON IMMIGRATION

 

APPETIZER: The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.  Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens. (CCC #2241)

MAIN COURSE: Francesca Saviero (Frances Xavier) Cabrini was the very first American citizen to be canonized a saint to the Catholic Church.  She was born in Italy but dies an American citizen and has been proclaimed the patroness of immigrants.  This makes her an ideal American Saint since we were established as and continue to be a nation of immigrants.

The youngest of thirteen children, Francesca Cabrini was born on July 15, 1850 in a small village near the city of Milan, Italy. She grew up enthralled by the stories of missionaries and made up her mind to join a religious order. Because of her frail health, she was not permitted to join the Daughters of the Sacred Heart who had been her teachers and under whose guidance she obtained her teaching certificate.

However, in 1880, with seven young women, Francesca founded a new religious community in the Catholic Church called the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  As the leader and foundress she was now called Mother Cabrini. She was as resourceful as she was prayerful, finding people who would donate what she needed in money, time, labor and support. She and her sisters wanted to be missionaries in China, so she went to Rome to obtain an audience with Pope Leo XIII for permission to do so. The Pope told Francesca to go “not to the East, but to the West” to New York rather than to China. He told her that she and here Sisters were needed to help the thousands of Italian immigrants already in the United States.

In 1889, New York seemed to be filled with chaos and poverty, and into this new world stepped Mother Francesca Cabrini and her sister companions. Mother Cabrini organized catechism and education classes for the Italian immigrants and provided for the needs of the many orphans. She established schools and orphanages despite tremendous odds.  

Soon, requests for her to open schools came to from all over the world.  Even though she had a deep fear of water due to nearly drowning as a child, Mother Cabrini rose above her fears for love of God and neighbor and made 23 trans-Atlantic crossings to establish 67 institutions: schools, hospitals and orphanages.  These were found in Europe, Central and South America and throughout the United States.

Francesca's activity was relentless until her death. On December 22, 1917,  she passed away while wrapping Christmas gifts for orphans in Chicago. In 1946, she was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII in recognition of her holiness and service to mankind and was named Patroness of Immigrants in 1950.  She is honored also as one in the Great American Women Hall of Fame.

Immigration can be  very "hot topic" for people today. And you can find Catholics on both sides of the issue. Here are the official three principles of Catholic social teaching as set forth by the US Bishops for our nation of immigrants and which make it pretty simple for anyone to understand:

First Principle: People have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families. People have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families. This is based on biblical and ancient Christian teaching that the goods of the earth belong to all people. While the right to private property is defended in Catholic social teaching, individuals do not have the right to use private property without regard for the common good. Every person has an equal right to receive from the earth what is necessary for life—food, clothing, shelter. 

Moreover, every person has the right to education, medical care, religion, and the expression of one's culture. In many places people live in fear, danger, or dehumanizing poverty. Clearly, it is not God's will that some of his children live in luxury while others have nothing. In Luke's Gospel, the rich man was condemned for living well while the poor man starved at his doorstep (Lk 16:19-31).  The native does not have superior rights over the immigrant. Before God all are equal; the earth was given by God to all. When a person cannot achieve a meaningful life in his or her own land, that person has the right to move.

Second Principle: A country has the right to regulate its borders and to control immigration. While individuals have the right to move in search of a safe and humane life, no country is bound to accept all those who wish to resettle there. By this principle the Church recognizes that most immigration is ultimately not something to celebrate. Ordinarily, people do not leave the security of their own land and culture just to seek adventure in a new place or merely to enhance their standard of living. Instead, they migrate because they are desperate and the opportunity for a safe and secure life does not exist in their own land. Immigrants and refugees endure many hardships and often long for the homes they left behind. 

As Americans we should cherish and celebrate the contributions of immigrants and their cultures; however, we should work to make it unnecessary for people to leave their own land. Because there seems to be no end to poverty, war, and misery in the world, developed nations will continue to experience pressure from many peoples who desire to resettle in their lands. Catholic social teaching is realistic: While people have the right to move, no country has the duty to receive so many immigrants that its social and economic life are jeopardized.  

For this reason, Catholics should not view the work of the federal government and its immigration control as negative or evil. Those who work to enforce our nation's immigration laws often do so out of a sense of loyalty to the common good and compassion for poor people seeking a better life. In an ideal world, there would be no need for immigration control. The Church recognizes that this ideal world has not yet been achieved.

Third Principle: A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy. A country's regulation of borders and control of immigration must be governed by concern for all people and by mercy and justice. A nation may not simply decide that it wants to provide for its own people and no others. A sincere commitment to the needs of all must prevail. Even in the case of less urgent migrations, a developed nation's right to limit immigration must be based on justice, mercy, and the common good, not on self-interest. Moreover, immigration policy ought to take into account other important values such as the right of families to live together. A merciful immigration policy will not force married couples or children to live separated from their families for long periods.

Undocumented immigrants present a special concern. Often their presence is considered criminal since they arrive without legal permission. The Catholic Church teaches that every person has basic human rights and is entitled to have basic human needs met—food, shelter, clothing, education, and health care. Undocumented persons are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by employers, and they are not able to complain because of the fear of discovery and deportation. Current immigration policy that criminalizes the mere attempt to immigrate and imprisons immigrants who have committed no crime or who have already served a just sentence for a crime is immoral.

Finally, immigration policy that allows people to live here and contribute to society for years but refuses to offer them the opportunity to achieve legal status does not serve the common good. The presence of millions of people living without easy access to basic human rights and necessities is a great injustice. It is the position of the Catholic Church that pastoral, educational, medical, and social services provided by the Church are never conditioned on legal status. All persons are invited to participate in our parishes, attend our schools, and receive other services offered by our institutions and programs.

DOGGIE-BAG: A Little something to take with you for spiritual snacking...

Holy Quotes...

“We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend upon material success but on Jesus alone. I will go anywhere and do anything in order to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him.” (St.Francesca Cabrini)

Prayer Through Mother Cabrini's Intercession

Merciful and Eternal God, Source of all gifts, I trust in Your mercy and love.  You have urged us through your Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to ask for your assistance in all our needs. Grant me through the intercession of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, whom I invoke, that I may obtain the grace I desire [mention your intention] according to your holy will. I offer you praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

Prayer After Confession by Mother Cabrini

My dearest Jesus, I have told all my sins as well as I could. I tried hard to make a good confession. I feel sure that you have forgiven me.  I thank You. It is only because of all Your sufferings that I can go to confession and free myself from my sins. Your Heart is full of love and mercy for poor sinners. I love You because You are so good to me. My loving Savior, I shall try to keep from sin and to love You more each day. My dear Mother Mary, pray for me and help me to keep my promises. Protect me and do not let me fall back into sin. Amen.

Scripture Verse to Memorize: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philipians 4:13, Mother Cabrini's personal motto).