Explore the life and legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized, through this short yet transformative thirty-day retreat. Cabrini was known for her tireless devotion to orphans, immigrants, and the sick, and her unshakable courage and missionary zeal were driven by her deep love for Jesus and his Sacred Heart.
In Hope Without Borders, you'll explore the spiritual practices that fueled Cabrini's remarkable life. Drawing from her journals, letters, and retreat notes, this book provides daily meditations, reflections, and short prayers to guide your journey. Cabrini's writings, inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, reveal how retreat and prayer became her wellspring of strength, enabling her to persevere in her mission. As Cabrini herself wrote, "It is in retreat that the soul learns to give internal glances at the beauty and goodness of God."
Whether you're seeking to deepen your prayer life or reconnect with God amid a busy schedule, Hope Without Borders offers a practical and inspiring path. An excellent addition to the Great Spiritual Teacher series, this book is an accessible companion for anyone looking to root their spiritual practice in the wisdom of the saints.
Let the words and example of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini draw you closer to Christ--the true source of hope and strength.
Frances Cabrini (1850-1917) was a pioneering Catholic missionary who dedicated her life to serving the underserved. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an order focused on education, healthcare, and social services. In 1889, Pope Leo XIII sent her to New York City to minister to the growing population of Italian immigrants, and she quickly became a champion for their needs. Over the course of her life, she established sixty-seven institutions worldwide, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages, all grounded in her unwavering faith and commitment to human dignity. In recognition of her exceptional holiness, compassion, and tireless service, she was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1946. Four years later, she was named the Patroness of Immigrants, further cementing her legacy as a symbol of hope and solidarity for those in need.
Amy J. Cattapan is a middle-school English teacher, Catholic speaker, retreat leader, and author who has written or contributed to several books, including Sweet Jesus, Is It June Yet?, A Saint Squad for Teachers, Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade, and the award-winning novels Angelhood and Seven Riddles to Nowhere. She hosts Cath-Lit Live!, a podcast where she interviews Catholic authors about new books.
Cattapan has appeared on The Katie McGrady Show and The Busted Halo Show on SiriusXM, EWTN's Bookmark and At Home with Jim and Joy, Catholic Faith Network Live, and the Son Rise Morning Show. Her writing has appeared in Highlights for Children, Hopscotch for Girls, Pockets, and Catechist. She also served as the host for Shalom World TV's BOOK.ed.
Cattapan earned a bachelor's degree in English secondary education from Marquette University, a master's degree in instruction for secondary education language arts from Northeastern Illinois University, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Loyola University Chicago. She has spoken at a variety of conferences, including NCEA, the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, and C3, and frequently leads teacher retreats and professional development sessions at Catholic schools across the country.
She lives in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
