FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2019
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BROOKLYN DIOCESE KEEPS HOPE ALIVE FOR MOTHER CABRINI STATUE
Bishop DiMarzio Begins Fundraising to Honor St. Frances Cabrini’s Legacy
The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, and the Italian Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn, today announced plans to host a procession and Mass this Sunday, October 6, 2019, and the start of a fundraising campaign, in support of the construction of a public statue recognizing Mother Cabrini.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will lead the procession from Mother Cabrini Park, located at 41 President Street in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn, starting at 3 PM. The park is located at the former site of a church building where Mother Cabrini first ministered to the poor immigrants of the Italian community. The procession will continue to Sacred Hearts – St. Stephen Church located at 125 Summit Street, where Mass will begin at 4 PM.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the Patron Saint of Immigrants, arrived in New York in 1889 with the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Mother Cabrini recently received the most votes in the “She Built NYC” competition, which aims to build more statues honoring women. But despite earning this top ranking, a public statue honoring her life is not being planned.
“Mother Frances Cabrini was certainly one of the women who built New York City. Her work to establish orphanages, schools, and a hospital, along with her commitment to immigrants, absolutely should be recognized. The failure to honor Mother Cabrini with a public statue would be an affront to many New Yorkers, especially Italian-Americans, who see her as most deserving,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.
The Cabrini Statue fundraising campaign, through the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens, is raising funds to have a statue of St. Frances Cabrini built. The Diocese is working with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams to have Mother Cabrini included in the She Built NYC program, with a preference for a statue to be constructed in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall. Individuals looking to donate may visit https://catholicfoundationbq.org/cabrinistatue/