The film 'Cabrini' has garnered significant attention and success for its portrayal of the life of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, America's first canonized saint and the patron saint of Chicago. The movie, directed by Alejandro Monteverde and produced by Jonathan Sanger, focuses on critical issues such as women's empowerment and immigration, highlighting Mother Cabrini's work in serving the poor and marginalized Italian immigrants in New York City [3799f287]. It also touches on her impact in education and healthcare in Chicago. The film showcases Cabrini's determination and compassion as she overcomes challenges to build orphanages, hospitals, and schools worldwide [3e4733b2]. 'Cabrini' stars Christiana Dell'Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse, and Romana Maggiora Vergano, and has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences, with a 98% audience score and a 91% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes [3e4733b2]. The movie is praised for its powerful acting, stunning cinematography, and beautiful score [3799f287].
While the film has been well-received, it has also sparked a debate regarding the portrayal of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. An article on Catholic Exchange titled 'Cabrini: Feminist Social Justice Warrior or Catholic Saint?' raises concerns about the emphasis on feminist ideologies in the movie and the lack of explicit mention of Mother Cabrini's Catholic faith and her relationship with Jesus Christ [0d83f9c5]. The author, Constance T. Hull, notes that the film fails to capture the spiritual dimension of Mother Cabrini's work and suggests that future projects depicting Catholic saints should explicitly portray their love and faith in Christ and the Catholic Church. The article emphasizes that Mother Cabrini's motivation was her love for God and the salvation of souls, and that she was completely obedient to the Catholic Church, relying on priests and bishops for spiritual guidance [0d83f9c5].
Despite this criticism, the creators of 'Cabrini' emphasize that the movie aims to be a beautiful and powerful film for mainstream audiences, celebrating the fortitude and resilience of Mother Cabrini and the contributions of religious sisters in building up the church, educational system, and healthcare in the United States [3799f287]. The film's message of hope resonates with viewers, highlighting the impact of Mother Cabrini's work and the enduring legacy of religious sisters in society [3799f287].