Great success in the United States for the film about Mother Cabrini

Powell Retail Andrianic – Vatican City

The film about Mother Francisca Javier Cabrini, which embodies women's strength, sensitivity to immigrants, faith and a “never give up” attitude, was a huge success in the United States. “Muslims, atheists and Christians have seen the film, and they have all said one thing: They want to be like Cabrini,” Eustace Wolfington, the film's executive producer, said in an interview with Vatican News.

The next release is also in Italy

“Cabrini” reached number four in the United States. It is produced by Angel Studios, the company that also produced the internationally successful series The Chosen about Jesus of Nazareth, and directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, who is also the director of the highly successful 2023 US film, The Sound of Music. , for which he also collaborated on the screenplay. It was released in American cinemas on March 8, on the occasion of Women's Day, and will soon be shown on Italian screens and many other countries around the world. The film tells the Hollywood-style story of Mother Francisca Javier Cabrini (1850-1917), founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an order of her own, who was not accepted by any religious order due to her poor health. Her desire was to preach and serve the poor in China, but Pope Leo XIII encouraged her to serve the Italian immigrant community in the United States. “Not to the east, Cabrini, but to the west!” These were the words of the Supreme Pontiff.

The will to serve Jesus

Upon her arrival in New York in 1889, countless difficulties did not prevent her from serving immigrants and the poor. The production shows how one person in poor health, who spoke only rudimentary English, built an empire of hope, education, and health care that continues to this day, in the United States and on all continents. Over the course of 34 years, he established no less than 67 centres, including hospitals, schools, and orphanages. “His energy was fueled by an intense focus on serving Jesus in everything He asked of him, and his legacy continues today,” the film's website says. She was the first American citizen to be canonized (in 1946) and was declared a saint of immigrants.

Public reaction

Mother Frances Cabrini is played by Cristiana Dalana, known for Gomorrah. Giancarlo Giannini is Pope Leo XIII, and Golden Globe winner John Lithgow is among the cast. Her first appearance is Virginia Bocelli, Andrea's 12-year-old daughter, with whom she sings a duet in the film. “It hits people's hearts,” concludes Eustace Wolfington, who admits that she came to see a movie traumatized by the broken world, and then left the screening angry, wanting to do something. Moreover, this movie has encouraged many people. People, especially young people.