Relics of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini in Manhattan, New York

Relics of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini in Manhattan, New York

Built into the altar, which sits beneath the mosaic, is the reliquary of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, known as Mother Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants, whose body lies, like Sleeping Beauty, within a glass coffin.

St. Frances Cabrini Shrine is located in Washington Heights in Manhattan, New York.

Mother Cabrini’s body was divided after her death. Her head is in Rome, her heart is in Codogno, Italy, where she established the order, an arm is in Chicago & most of rest of her body is at shrine, this partial relic modeled with wax into image of Mother Cabrini in glass coffin.  

Most of Saint Frances Cabrini’s body is now displayed under glass in altar at St. Frances Cabrini Shrine, in Washington Heights area of Manhattan. Mother Cabrini’s bones are encased in a wax replica of her body.  Her body was one of 31 bodies & body parts that Vatican mummification team worked on between 1975 & 2008 in an effort to improve the mummification processes they use to preserve holy relics.

In 1946 she became first U.S. citizen to be canonized by Roman Catholic Church & is patron saint of immigrants.