November 13, 2025
The life story of one of America’s most celebrated Catholic educators and immigrant advocates brought several hundred students, faculty, alumni, administrators, staff, and friends of St. John’s University to a pair of film screenings on October 28 on the Queens, NY, campus.
The screenings of Cabrini—the story of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s efforts to establish schools and social safety nets for immigrants in New York City—were part of two separate events hosted by The School of Education and Campus Ministry that featured the film’s producer, Zachary DeCarlo. The screenings coincided with Italian American Heritage Month in October and ahead of Mother Cabrini’s feast day on November 13.
The School of Education event—titled “Mother Cabrini: Teacher, Counselor, Leader”—featured opening remarks from Dean James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., who reflected on the University’s Vincentian mission and the impact of Catholic education in New York City.
“St. John’s was founded more than 150 years ago to serve immigrants and the children of immigrants,” Dean Wolfinger said. “Mother Cabrini’s story of empowerment through education is part of that same tradition.”
Mother Cabrini (1850–1917) was an Italian-born American nun who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She was the first naturalized US citizen to be canonized a Catholic saint and is the patron saint of immigrants for her dedication to those newly arrived in New York who faced discrimination and poverty.
Mr. DeCarlo discussed the making of Cabrini and his family’s devotion to the saint with the audience of several dozen educators, emphasizing her strength, vision, and compassion. The film, which premiered in March 2024, took more than two years to create at a cost of $50 million. It stars Cristiana Dell’Anna as Mother Cabrini and John Lithgow as fictional New York City Mayor Gould.
“We didn’t want to make a fairy-tale version of her life,” Mr. DeCarlo explained. “Her story continues to inspire people to lead with purpose and faith.”
In addition to her care for the immigrant population, Mr. DeCarlo said Mother Cabrini is remembered for her willingness to empower women, particularly those in her congregation. Arriving in the United States in 1889, she established 67 institutions for immigrants—including hospitals, orphanages, and schools—until her death from a heart infection in 1917.
Mother Cabrini’s legacy lives on today in Cabrini Immigrant Services NYC, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and in schools that bear her name.
“If you do the math, that is an average of two or three institutions each year,” Mr. DeCarlo said. “And, in almost every one of them, she left a leadership team led by a woman, which was unheard of at the time. She trained all her nuns to read contracts and work with contracts so they could be shrewd negotiators with the municipal powers they had to work with.”
Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent, Catholic Schools of Brooklyn and Queens, spoke of Mother Cabrini’s courage and determination, likening her to modern educators. “This is not a stereotypical saint story,” he said. “It is about someone who saw a need and had the courage to act. That is what teachers and leaders do every day.”
Mother Cabrini’s courage was rooted in her faith, experts said. Students learned about both topics in a Campus Ministry-sponsored screening of the film, which attracted more than 300 students to Marillac Hall Auditorium.
Senior Katherine Garlisi, who studies Journalism at The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, called Mother Cabrini’s story “timeless and poignant.”
“As an Italian-American whose great-grandparents immigrated to New York at about that time, the film is beautiful,” Katherine said. “It is also timely for our modern day."
Briana Tola, a junior in The School of Education and President of the campus chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, noted how the film’s messages of courage, faith, and service align with St. John’s Vincentian mission.
“Sharing this experience with our members reminded me of why we do what we do—to serve others with compassion and purpose,” Briana said. “Mother Cabrini’s story continues to impact people today. The film celebrates her legacy, while also strengthening our community’s commitment to living out those values in our lives.”