You could say that Molly Seaman (’18) knows a thing or two about Cabrini University’s namesake, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, and her devotion to migrants. But that would be an understatement. The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) student ambassador, Co-President of Cabrini University's CRS chapter, and former CRS intern has been plugged in to Mother Cabrini’s work from a young age. Growing up in Denver, CO, she spent much of her time at the nearby Mother Cabrini Shrine, where her mother worked as the Director of Development and where her parents met. Seaman’s close proximity to the Shrine since childhood has fostered a deep connection to social justice issues, including immigration.
“I have been so blessed to grow up surrounded by Mother Cabrini's mission and true example of love and compassion carried out by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Mother Cabrini Shrine, which eventually led to attending a university founded upon giving students, like me, an Education of the Heart,” Seaman said.
That’s why Seaman was the perfect candidate to write a lead story about Mother Cabrini and her work for the #SharetheJourney Campaign started by Pope Francis, CRS, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities to urge us to open our hearts and minds to the most vulnerable: migrants and refugees fleeing war, poverty, and persecution. Featured as a lead story on sharejourney.org, Seaman’s article “Mother Cabrini, she lived for migrants” demonstrates the juxtaposition of the saint’s work with migrants—some of whom are our grandparents and great grandparents—more than a century ago to the immigration shifts we are seeing today.
“I hope that, through reading this article, people's hearts around the world will be softened and opened to the pivotal work of Mother Cabrini, her sisters, and other leaders working toward immigration reform. I am hoping it will inspire others to stand up for the dignity of our brothers and sisters who are vulnerable, even though we have never and might never meet, because I would hope that if I were in a similar situation that someone would do the same for me.”
Above photo: Molly Seaman ('18) and Emely Gutierrez ('18) pose with a statue of Mother Cabrini in Guatemala.