Hidden Blessings

In a large, busy family, it’s easy to overlook things – and sadly, even people occasionally.

As a mom, sometimes I have to quickly look around to make sure I have everyone as we’re about to leave a place. There’s been times when I think that someone is unaccounted for, and I’ll start to panic. “Wait, where is Pete?” I’ll ask – if he’s the one I can’t find.

Typically the other kids will laugh and say: “Mom, he’s right here.” And sure enough, he’ll end up right next to me – close, but behind me or somewhere out of my sight.

That particular child, Pete, my 9-year-old, is the one I tend to overlook – in more ways than one. He’s usually quiet and behaving, so sometimes he slides off my radar.

And that’s a shame. Quiet and behaving is a good thing that shouldn’t go unnoticed or unrewarded.

Basically, Peter is just plain sweet. He hugs me nearly every time he sees me: when he sees me first thing in the morning, when I walk in the door, when I walk in a room. Sometimes I want him to hold off a minute, until I can drop all the stuff I might be carrying in my arms, until I can first visit the bathroom, until I can resolve whatever mini-crisis some other family member is going through at the moment.

But then I’ll remember what a precious gift those constant hugs are, a reminder that I’m loved, and what a precious gift Peter is to our family. I have to stop and relish those hugs.

I think of Peter today as we edge closer to Thanksgiving. He reminds me that sometimes we can overlook some of our greatest blessings, especially when they’re right there under our noses (in this case, literally).

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who is remembered on the church calendar today, also reminds me of overlooked or hidden blessings, in particular, those received through suffering. In this month’s Magnificat prayer magazine, I came across some of her writing:

“Sometimes, we may have to suffer along the way that leads to the holy mountain of perfection, but we will not be discouraged. Because whoever ignores the purpose of Christian suffering does not recognize and know what is great and wonderful in her days. The science of suffering is the science of saints. Let us then be glad when an unexpected cross presents itself, and we are afflicted with pain. These are the choice fruits of the mystic vine, destined to bear inestimable merits for our souls.”

Those sufferings, when united with the suffering of Christ, become “an admirable secret work of grace,” the saint said.

She admonished us not to complain about our trials, and for me that’s a particular challenge. It seems I have to study up on “the science of saints.”

But at least recognizing that suffering is a gift, that it brings grace, is a good place to start. It would be a shame to overlook any of God’s gifts.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is promoting an American saint each month of the Year of Faith. This month, we can be inspired by St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen to be canonized and the patron saint of immigrants.

St. Frances Cabrini was born in Italy on July 15, 1850, two months prematurely, leaving her small and weak. But her poor health proved to be a gift of Divine Providence, along with her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was a popular devotion when Frances was young.

She was denied admission to several religious orders due to her frail health. A superior at one convent, of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, encouraged her with these words, which turned out prophetic: "You are called to establish another institute that will bring new glory to the Heart of Jesus."

Frances earned a teaching diploma and taught in Italian schools for six years before she was asked to direct an orphanage. She and five teachers at the orphanage began religious formation and eventually professed religious vows. Frances, at age 27, added Xavier to her name, honoring the Jesuit Saint Francis Xavier, who evangelized the Orient.

The women received a mandate from their bishop to form a new religious institute. In 1880 they founded the Institute of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The bishop thought the sisters would primarily serve the local diocese, but Mother Cabrini had bigger plans.

She wanted to evangelize in the Orient, but Church leaders encouraged the sisters to minister to Italian immigrants in the United States. When Mother Cabrini posed her missionary dilemma to Pope Leo XII, he responded: "Not to the East, but to the West." New York's archbishop invited the sisters to begin their work there.

In 1890, the missionaries opened an orphanage for Italian children. The sisters attracted other women to join them, opened a school and another orphanage in the New York area. The sisters soon moved to other cities to build other schools, orphanages, and eventually hospitals.

When Mother Cabrini was first asked to establish a hospital, she hesitated. But then she had a dream in which she saw the Blessed Virgin Mary caring for a hospital patient. In the dream, Mother Cabrini asked Our Lady what she was doing and Our Lady replied: "I am doing the work you refuse to do." Mother Cabrini quickly entered her sisters into health care, where they excelled in their work.

When Mother Cabrini died in 1917, at age 67, her Institute had established 67 missions in the United States, Italy, France, England, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Nicaragua. Eight years earlier, she had become a U.S. citizen.




St. Frances Xavier Cabrini's Discernment Prayer

My Jesus,

I have not always recognized

your loving plans for me.

Every day,

with the help of your light,

I learn more of your loving care.

Continue to increase

my awareness of the gentleness of

your loving plans.

I want to follow the purpose

for which I was created

See, I am in your hands.

I need you to help me choose

the best way to serve you.

Walk with me, Jesus.

Stay by my side and guide me!

*Much of this information on St. Frances Cabrini was provided by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which the saint founded.