On Sunday, November 12, 2023 the Italian Catholic Federation (I.C.F.) Branch #115 is planning to attend the Annual Pilgrimage in honor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini at the St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church in Burbank, California.  A library with her memorabilia was built adjacent to the Chapel.  Mass, rosary, procession and benediction will take place.  Free bus transportation will be provided.  Please be at the Boys and Girls Club at 10:00 A.M.  Bus leaves at 10:30 A.M.

A luncheon will follow the Mass.  The price is $20 per person.  Call Neal Di Leva (310) 433-1044) for additional information and reservations.

The Chapel was originally built in 1916 by Mother Cabrini when she returned to the Burbank area and was at the top of Mount Rafael.  Mother Cabrini prayed daily in this Chapel.  In 1952 the annual “pilgrimage” was started by the Los Angeles District of the I.C.F. with a procession to the top of the mountain reciting the rosary, singing and benediction.  In 1973 the chapel was relocated at the bottom of the mountain on the church grounds to make way for new land developments.  St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born in Lodi, Italy in 1850.  She took her religious vows in 1877 and founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.  Mother Cabrini arrived in New York in 1889 along with six other sisters.  She first founded an orphanage in West Park, New York.  This was the first of 67 institutions she founded throughout the United States, South America and Europe.  She died in 1917 and was beatified in 1938 and canonized saint in 1946.  She is the first American saint and patroness saint of all immigrants and the I.C.F.