A few hundred Catholics — many using canes or walkers — meandered through the streets Sunday, Oct. 3, in a procession to show their devotion to the patron saint of immigrants, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini. The Italian Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn sponsored the procession, as well as the Mass that followed at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Parish, Carroll Gardens. The diocese installed its Mother Cabrini monument there in June.
Msgr. David Cassato, leader of the Italian Apostolate, proudly told the filled-to-capacity church that the group had raised $50,000 for the monument. The statue’s unveiling was the culmination of contention that started in 2018 between the diocese and the city of New York’s “She Built NYC” public-arts campaign. The program establishes monuments to pay tribute to women for their contributions to New York City. Mother Cabrini got the most nominations, but she was not selected for that honor.
