By Christine Persichette
The stars were out in Manhattan Monday night, walking the red carpet for the New York premiere of the movie “Cabrini”.
It tells the story of Mother Cabrini, who came to New York City in 1889 to help the poor Italian immigrants.
Cristiana Dell’Anna, who portrays the Catholic icon on the big screen said she didn’t know much about her before this film.
But now she often asks herself, ‘What would Cabrini do?’
“Every time I find myself in a situation where I don’t know what to do, what to say, I’m just thinking, ‘What did I say in that scene?,’” Dell’Anna said. “Oh, actually that’s very helpful, because,yes, she was a strong willed person who inspires me every single day.”
An inspiration for not only fighting to help the marginalized, but also with faith and fearlessness, going toe to toe with the men in power to achieve her mission.
David Morse portrays the Archbishop of New York.
“She doesn’t try to preach or anything, she’s out there doing the work,” Morse said. “She’s standing up to everybody and she still gets it done.”
Building an empire of hope, in the Diocese of Brooklyn and beyond, creating orphanages, schools and hospitals, despite tremendous odds.
“You can live your life in despair or in hope and she lived her life in hope,” said Alejandro Monteverde, Director of Cabrini.
Although the story of Mother Cabrini, the patron Saint of Immigrants, is more than 100 years old, it’s a timely one.
Producer Jonathan Sanger from Brooklyn, said he hopes it stirs discussion about the current migrant crisis.
“I really think this is a movie where people will leave it thinking ‘what can I do, what can I do to make a difference because everybody can make a difference,’” Sanger said.
Francis Xavier Cabrini accomplished all she set out to do, despite being in poor health.
In her 67 years, she helped found 67 institutions to care for the poor, the sick and the uneducated.
Mother Cabrini became the first American saint in 1946.
The movie officially hits the big screen on March 8, International Women’s Day.