(DePaul University/ Jeff Carrion)
Did you know that Chicago was home to the first American-citizen saint, Frances Xavier Cabrini?
In honor the 100th anniversary of her death, Lincoln Park filmmakers Lucia Mauro and Joe Orlandino will screen their new documentary, "Frances Xavier Cabrini: The People's Saint," in DePaul's Student Center on Monday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Born in Lombardy, Italy, Mother Cabrini originally came to Chicago in 1899 at the invitation of the Servite Fathers to establish Assumption School in what is now River North. She later became the first naturalized American-citizen saint, calling Chicago her home until she died in December of 1917.
"St. Frances Xavier Cabrini had a great presence in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and other parts of the city, where she ministered to the poor, children and newly arrived immigrants," Mauro says. "In 1905, she founded Columbus Hospital - today the site of the restored landmark, The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini."
At the screening, Mauro and Orlandino will join in discussion, along with Montreal-based composer Enzo De Rosa and Senior Project Architect, Christopher Payne, who restored the National Shrine and is interviewed in the film. Sponsored by the Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative, the 50-minute documentary pays tribute to Mother Cabrini's life, featuring individuals who were affected by her mission as well as those who continue to serve it.
This event is open to the university community and is part of the Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative's bi-annual program series. The LPCRI is a nearly 20 year old committee made up of DePaul faculty and Lincoln Park Community members. Learn more about the film at
www.mothercabrinifilm.com.