By Jessica Easthope
Celebrating their mark in history is exactly what women are doing this International Women’s Day, by coming here to the movies to see Cabrini.
One after another, women, from all walks of life, showing their support for someone who came long before them and paved the way.
“Back when she came here to the U.S., women were not given a voice; she was a voice.”
“She’s focusing on equality, being together, loving each other, that’s what it’s all about, that’s what drove me here. I believe there will be something instilled in me.”
“Today’s International Women’s Day, and Francesca Cabrini is definitely an inspiration, and we are here to find out what her story is.”
Here at Regal Cinemas in Sheepshead Bay, Joanne Croke, a parishioner at St. Francis de Sales in Belle Harbor, says there was no way she was missing the first show of the day.
“It is World Women’s Day, and so I thought it was a very appropriate thing to do because I’m all about strong women.”
Cabrini chronicles the life of Francis Xavier Cabrini, an Italian nun navigating the harsh realities of New York City as she fights for the poor and marginalized.
Women say the March 8th release couldn’t have been more fitting to watch the story of someone who spoke out at a time when women were voiceless.
“She was a feisty lady; she wasn’t going to take no for an answer, and she wanted to get the help she needed for her orphans and the people who needed her care, so she’s a woman really to be honored and respected.”
“She was a very strong lady; she never gave up.”
“I can certainly say I’m very proud to be a woman and an Italian American; everyone should see this woman. It makes you very proud to be here and fight for what you believe in.”
Mother Cabrini arrived in New York City in 1889.
During the course of her life, she helped found 67 institutions of care for the poor, immigrants, and sick.
“Don’t give in; figure it out, regroup and think of her, think of Mother Cabrini, and you’ll get it done.”
“She taught some of my relatives catechism, and she did everything she wanted. She didn’t let anyone stop her because she knew she was doing the right thing. It’s a women’s movie, and it’s a family movie; it was beautiful from beginning to end.”
If you don’t trust these reviews, you can come see for yourself. Cabrini is in theaters nationwide.
Someone who has already seen the Cabrini movie is Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan.
He got a special preview of the film and said the woman playing Mother Cabrini captures a whole new side of the saint.
Bishop Brennan is actually seeing the movie again and is encouraging others to see it.
This isn’t the first time the Diocese of Brooklyn has spread the word about the saint.
If you go to Battery Park, for example, you’ll find a bronze statue of Mother Cabrini there that was the result of a big campaign of the diocese.
It all started in 2019 when the city snubbed Mother Cabrini from an initiative honoring women with statues around the city, despite the fact that the saint got the most votes in a public poll.
Catholics rallied to right the wrong, leading to the state finally forming a commission for the statue that included Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio.
It was finally unveiled in October of 2020.
But the diocese didn’t stop there.
In 2021, a statue of Mother Cabrini was unveiled outside of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and St. Stephen Parish in Carroll Gardens, the very parish where she worked with immigrants in Brooklyn.
The statue took 60 artists and five months to create and includes a variety of hidden symbols, like a piece of luggage to honor her work with immigrants.
If you want to see the story of Mother Cabrini, just go to the studio’s website, angel.com.
If you click on new releases, you’ll be able to find theaters playing it, showtimes, and even pay it forward.
You can buy tickets for those who can’t afford it so that they can claim it at the theater.