While in Seattle in 1909, Frances Cabrini fulfilled a long-desired plan and became a citizen of the United States of America. The ensuing years were times of constant movement: New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Louisiana, Colorado, California, Washington State, Central and South America and Europe.

It was in the spring of 1917 that Mother Cabrini undertook her last mission. Her health was compromised. In spite of this, she traveled to Chicago where the now two hospitals there needed her presence. On December 22 of that year, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini died in her private room at Columbus Hospital as she was preparing Christmas candy for the local children. She was 67 years of age.

In conformity with the Heart of Jesus, the Institute she founded has responded compassionately and efficiently to the needs of all, immigrants, as well as the native-born worldwide. Education, pastoral ministry, and religious instruction and outreach to those in need spiritually and materially flourishes on six continents. Responses to the “signs of the times,” to needs as they presented themselves continue.

When Mother Cabrini died December 22, 1917, at the age of 67, 67 missions of the Institute had been established, ministries of healing, teaching, caring, giving and reaching out, in cities of the United States, Italy, France, England, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and Nicaragua.

Reference sources for further information about St. Cabrini:

Andes, Sr. Mary Lou, MSC and Dority, Sr. Victoria, MSC
2005 St. Frances Cabrini - Cecchina's Dream, Pauline Books and Media

Di Donato, Pietro
1960 Immigrant Saint. New York: McGraw-Hill

Galileo, Segundo
1996 In Weakness, Strength, The Life and Missionary Activity of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Philippines: Claretian Communications

Green, Rose Basile, ed. and trans.
1984 Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini. Chicago: Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Maynard, Theodore
1945 Too Small a World. Milwaukee: Bruce Publishing Co.

Rose, Philip M.
1975 The Italians in America. New York: Arno Press (reprint).

Rosenberg, Charles E.
1987 The Care of Strangers: The Rise of America's Hospital System. New York: Basic Books

Tomasi, Silvano M. and Engel, Madeline H., eds.
1970 The Italian Experience in the United States. Staten Island, NY: Center for Migration Studies

Sullivan, Sr. Mary Louise, MSC, Ph.D.
1992 Mother Cabrini - Italian Immigrant of the Century, New York: Center for Migration Studies