In 2005, I had a shortlist of runner's up when choosing my confirmation saint. Based on reading the Vision book biography, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was one of three or four names. She was afraid of water, like I was, yet she didn't let that stop her and she voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean many, many times out of obedience and a belief that it was God's will. I was a little worried that if I chose a religious sister for a confirmation saint, that she would claim me for her own and have to become a religious sister, and I wasn't convinced that I wanted that. I chose St. Joseph after reading Fulton Sheen's treatment of him in a beautiful chapter of "The World's First Love."
Hearing about this and then reading this book was like reconnecting with a friend from high school. I also look up to Amy Cattapan and follow her on Instagram, so I am always intrigued by her new projects.
I love this format and having letters from Cabrini herself. She wrote to her missionary sisters and to teaching students and some of the excerpts are notes from retreats. With each letter is a moving and thoughtful prayer from Cattapan. Like this one from day 24:
"May I focus not so much on doing great things but on having a fruitful prayer life that helps me do your will exactly how, when, and where you want me to do so."
Having spent the last year home because of my pregnancy and now my son, I have few notions of doing anything particularly great anytime soon. However, I still feel that there is a rightness to what I am doing. I will be purchasing the book to read a physical copy and take this as slowly as it is intended and deserves.

This is the seventh volume in the Great Spiritual Teachers series I have read. It is a new release in 2025, and I had access to an advanced review copy. I was enjoying it so much I preordered the eBook as soon as it was available. Last year the first I read in the series was Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc by Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, and loved it and the concept of the series. I have read about this saint, and I loved that every prayer starts with approaching the Sacred Heart of Jesus..

The description of this volume states:

“Explore the life and legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized, through this short yet transformative thirty-day retreat. Cabrini was known for her tireless devotion to orphans, immigrants, and the sick, and her unshakable courage and missionary zeal were driven by her deep love for Jesus and his Sacred Heart.

In Hope Without Borders, you'll explore the spiritual practices that fueled Cabrini's remarkable life. Drawing from her journals, letters, and retreat notes, this book provides daily meditations, reflections, and short prayers to guide your journey. Cabrini's writings, inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, reveal how retreat and prayer became her wellspring of strength, enabling her to persevere in her mission. As Cabrini herself wrote, "It is in retreat that the soul learns to give internal glances at the beauty and goodness of God."

Whether you're seeking to deepen your prayer life or reconnect with God amid a busy schedule, Hope Without Borders offers a practical and inspiring path. An excellent addition to the Great Spiritual Teacher series, this book is an accessible companion for anyone looking to root their spiritual practice in the wisdom of the saints.
Let the words and example of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini draw you closer to Christ--the true source of hope and strength.”

About the series we are informed:

“Each book in the Great Spiritual Teachers series provides a month of daily readings from one of Christianity's most beloved spiritual guides. For each day there is a brief and accessible morning meditation drawn from the mystic's writings, a simple mantra for use throughout the day, and a night prayer to focus one's thoughts as the day ends. These easy-to-use books are the perfect prayer companion for busy people who want to root their spiritual practice in the solid ground of these great spiritual teachers.”

About the author we are informed:

“Amy J. Cattapan is a middle-school English teacher, Catholic speaker, retreat leader, and author who has written or contributed to several books, including Sweet Jesus, Is It June Yet?, A Saint Squad for Teachers, Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade, and the award-winning novels Angelhood and Seven Riddles to Nowhere. She hosts Cath-Lit Live!”

I believe there are 16 volumes in this series currently in print, including the first I read last year that was new and this new releases. There are also a number that are currently out of print, The oldest I have seen are from the mid 90’s and it looks like they went through a rebranding and format change in the mid 00’s, and they have undergone yet another rebranding in the 2020’s including some new titles available in the series. I must admit I do not recall running across this series prior to that first volume on Joan. I have however added a number of them to my ‘to be read list’. I love the most recent rebranding, and hope Ave Maria completes the rebranding across all volumes, and brings back into print some of the volumes currently not available; specifically the volumes on John of the Cross, Evelyn Underhill, Mother Theresa and others. But back to this work.

While reading this I highlighted a few passages, some of them are:

“The books in the Great Spiritual Teachers series provide an introduction to the spiritual insights and wisdom of some of history’s most extraordinary saints. Through these pages, you’re invited to a place beyond mere reading, into an experience of daily prayer and meditation. You’ll be accompanied by a spiritual teacher whose wisdom will awaken, enrich, and empower your walk with the Lord. In other words, these books take you on a spiritual journey.”

“The daily format is there to help—but don’t hesitate to go at your own pace or take your own route! Repeat a day as often as you like, or skip a day if the reading isn’t resonating with where you are in your journey. The goal is to hear the voice of God through the words of the saints.”

“We’ve chosen to follow the suggestion of the classic book on spirituality The Cloud of Unknowing, which describes a three-part movement of reading, ref lecting, and praying: “These three are so linked together that there can be no profitable reflection without first reading or hearing. Nor will beginners or even the spiritually adept come to true prayer without first taking time to reflect on what they have heard or read.””

“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, may my faith always burn brightly in my heart. I know that the best way to keep this flame going is to spend time in conversation with you. Making this thirty-day retreat is one little way I can fan this flame.”

“My Jesus, how I desire to be near you in the Garden of Olives where I see you abandoned in deep anguish! How much you suffer, my Jesus—and if I reflect on the reason for it, my God, what tremendous confusion! My sins are the cause for your bitter agony that even makes you sweat blood! Please, my Jesus, I beg you to forget my wickedness and allow me to watch beside you, allow me to say a word of comfort.”

“Sacred Heart of Jesus, I offer everything I do today for the conversion of sinners, including myself.”

“Oh, if everyone had knowledge of the great and beautiful advantages of meditation and of speaking familiarly with Jesus, if they could experience these heavenly joys, they would certainly envy our happy life (or state).”

“Let us love Jesus, then my daughters, let us love him very much. Jesus has ready for us many other graces, but he is waiting to be loved by us more and more, in order to grant these graces to us. On one occasion he said to one of his faithful servants that if he could find souls who would love him, as St. Francis of Assisi did, he would give us as many graces as he bestowed upon that saint, and even greater ones.”

“What a joy it is to speak freely with you! When I spend time in conversation with you, you never fail to grant me special graces. So many people in this world do not know of your great love and mercy. Help me to love you as Mother Cabrini did so that, like her, I can bring you many more souls to love.”

“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I want to do all things for your greater honor and glory. Help me to take my example from your faithful servants, such as your Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. They knew how to surrender themselves totally to you so that they could fulfill their role in your project here on Earth. Give me the protection of my guardian angel and St. Michael the Archangel, as I joyfully and enthusiastically commit myself to your service.”

“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, when faced with a challenging situation, it can be easy to think we must run around, taking control of everyone and everything, even nature. While it is good to care for one another and look out for one another, sometimes the best we can do is pray and hope.”

“Sacred Heart of Jesus, infuse the words I will speak today with hope, love, and encouragement.”

“When I hear your voice and know your will, I need only listen and obey. This is the kind of unshakeable peace that comes only from loving you. And if I truly love you, then I will imitate you. And by imitating you, I will honor and glorify you.”

“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, it can be hard to practice obedience to your will. St. Frances wanted to be a missionary to China. However, Pope Leo XIII asked her to go to the West and not the East. Because she vowed to be obedient, she followed his instructions faithfully. This obedience proved so fruitful that he then encouraged her to carry your holy name around the world. In turn, she encouraged her sisters to pray for the Holy Father. Lord, I pray today for our pope. May he be a true shepherd to your people so that we can continue to carry your Holy Name everywhere.”

“The essence of sanctity consists in recognizing the sovereignty of God over us and being submissive to him, surrendering in silence and in peace without complaining about the lack of human comforts. This is the goal which the soul consecrated to God must achieve. Let us regard afflictions as a guardian angel, a beneficent shadow that prevents the burning sun of earthly things from drying up our prayer and virtue. … ”

“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, children will never forget the impressions we leave on them. Whether we are parents or teachers, aunts or uncles, or simply neighbors and friends, the children in our lives are watching us. They are learning how to become people of goodwill and good works. Help us to form the next generation, especially those young people who are most resistant to receiving your great love. May we be inspired by Mother Cabrini’s words to work with energy and a spirit of sacrifice to give others a sense of hope for as long as you give us time to do your work.”


A sample day is:

“DAY 13
My Day Begins

LETTER TO HER MISSIONARY SISTERS, OCTOBER 10, 1891, NEW YORK TO NICARAGUA

At 1 p.m. the anchor was raised and we glided slowly out of the port, while the sisters and friends waved their handkerchiefs. . . . Till evening we coasted along the shore, which we should have done all night, I believe, had not a terrific storm arisen which threatened to dash the boat and all it contained to pieces. At one moment the boat rolled from side to side with such force as to threaten to capsize. The sisters could hardly keep in their berths. I arose and dressed in haste to save them all, hoping at least to die together. Our luggage rolled about in all directions, like so many animated objects. There was nothing to stop it. No one could keep still, not even if seated on the floor. The sea swelled in an extraordinary way. The waves formed mountains as if by magic—one could see, as it were, deep valleys between them. The steamer seemed lost amidst these mountainous precipices of water. The wind worked havoc on deck, and threatened to split the cabins, but limited its caprice to the doctor’s only. …

But, God be praised! For during the terrible storm, as the Captain told us, no one was lost or hurt. . . . I was praying to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, in whose month we were voyaging. Then I lighted the candle of Our Lady of Loretto, so efficacious against sea storms, and our Most Holy Mother did really come to our aid, delivering us from the extreme danger which surrounded us!

All Through the Day

Sacred Heart of Jesus, in times of trouble, may I always turn to you in prayer.

My Day Is Ending

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, when faced with a challenging situation, it can be easy to think we must run around, taking control of everyone and everything, even nature. While it is good to care for one another and look out for one another, sometimes the best we can do is pray and hope. When I am faced with a situation where I’ve done all I can do, I will turn to the Rosary and pray for peace in my heart, trusting that our Holy Mother will carry our intentions to you so that you can protect us and guide us.”

I hope those quotes and the sample day give you a feel for this excellent volume. I have now read 7 volumes in this series, and currently working on a eighth, and I can state this is one of the best. I find that some speak to me more than others. With one almost every day was like an aha moment, others are more work and fewer moments. This one every day was a great experience. I can state I benefited from the month with each person being profiled. And if I went back and did a volume again at a different point or season in life I might interact with it differently. I already plan to circle back to both this volume and the volume on Joan and reread them once I have completed the series, or at least those I can track down.

This was one of the volumes I really connected with. This is an excellent read, it is one I really enjoyed reading. I can easily recommend this volume and the series as a whole, and I look forward to reading others in the series. If you have not given any in this series a try this would be an excellent starting point.

Long ago my father died on a brisk fall day that was also the feast day of Mother Cabrini. Ever since then, I have been fascinated by the saint who ministered to Italians in the United States. As someone of half-Italian ancestry, I find her works of mercy resonate with me.

Therefore, I was overjoyed when I learned that gifted author Amy J. Cattapan was editing a work based on the saint's words. Hope Without Borders: 30 Days with Frances Xavier Cabrini is a helpful, hopeful spiritual guide.

Part of the Great Spiritual Teachers series by Ave Maria Press, Hope Without Borders offers great spiritual nourishment for the retreatant. Take, for instance, this passage from its insightful pages:

Here, my Jesus, I am giving you a blank sheet of paper so you can write this beautiful virtue on my heart, followed by everything else that you want from me. Then I will sign it as a promise that I will never go back on my word.

I am encouraged by the renewed interest in Mother Cabrini. Her selfless example of service to the most vulnerable is so needed during these critical times. Those who read and meditate on Hope Without Borders will find much to feed their souls and enrich their evangelization efforts.