The Little Italy of Los Angeles Association (LILAA) is proud to announce a historic milestone for the Italian American community of Los Angeles: the first-ever Mother Cabrini Day in the City of Los Angeles, honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Patron Saint of Immigrants.
The special recognition will take place during the Los Angeles City Council meeting at City Hall on October 13 at 10:00 a.m., during Italian American Heritage Month, in the presence of leading members of the Italian American Community.
Mother Cabrini dedicated her life to serving immigrants, particularly newly arrived Italian immigrants who faced poverty, discrimination and difficult conditions as they built new lives in America. With extraordinary determination and compassion, she established schools, hospitals and orphanages, creating institutions that provided education, healthcare and hope to immigrant families.
Born in Italy in 1850, Mother Cabrini came to the United States in 1889 at the request of Pope Leo XIII. She went on to establish numerous institutions throughout the country and became a powerful symbol of service to immigrants and communities in need.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of her canonization by Pope Pius XII on July 7, 1946, when she became the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint.
This recognition took years to achieve: the initiative to establish Mother Cabrini Day in Los Angeles was spearheaded by the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association, building on LILAA's ongoing commitment to preserving Italian American history, celebrating Italian heritage and recognizing the many contributions of Italian immigrants to Los Angeles history.
The effort was initiated under LILAA Immediate Past President Mario Amalfitano and continued in partnership with current LILAA President Anna Manunza, Councilmember John Lee of Council District 12 and Councilmember Tim McOsker of Council District 15.
“Mother Cabrini dedicated her life to helping immigrants who came to America with very little but hope. As the child of immigrant parents, her story and this recognition are deeply personal to me. Her faith, courage and service reflect the same values that generations of Italian Americans brought to Los Angeles and used to help build this city. I am extremely proud to have spearheaded the effort to establish Mother Cabrini Day in the City of Los Angeles. This recognition honors her extraordinary legacy, our Italian American heritage, and every immigrant family whose hard work and sacrifice helped make Los Angeles what it is today.” Mario Amalfitano, Immediate Past President, Little Italy of Los Angeles Association
"As a first-generation immigrant, this recognition is deeply personal to me. Los Angeles welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like one of its own, much in the same spirit that Mother Cabrini was welcomed when she arrived in the United States. It is profoundly meaningful to me that, here in Los Angeles, we can celebrate and honor the journey of an immigrant, a young woman who arrived in a new country, built a life, found a community and, in turn, gave back selflessly to that community. Mother Cabrini left no stone unturned in her mission to serve, educate and care for others. Her story reminds us that being welcomed is a powerful gift, and that one of the greatest ways we can honor that gift is by opening doors for others.” — Anna Manunza President, Little Italy of Los Angeles Association
May Mother Cabrini’s example continue to inspire us to welcome others with open arms, serve our communities and never forget where we came from.
