Setting an example by living a vocation

We can consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to know a woman as wonderful as Sister Ursula Infante, MSC. The most felicitous aspect of my tenure here at Cabrini College has been my singular opportunity to meet and know such a devout, caring, saintly and down-to-earth woman.

Sister Ursula embodies the characteristics of a great leader, a great thinker and a great humanitarian. Her life and her work serve as a paradigm of strength and virtue.

As we celebrate her centennial birthday, I know that I am grateful to be witness to such a special event.

Cabrini College is celebrating the 100th birthday of its founding president and a 40th anniversary in the same year. When one considers that two such important events will most likely never coincide again, planning for these events takes on another dimension. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let us all come together to enjoy this blessing.

Of course, the highlight and focal point for all of our celewO~ bration is the beautiful and very special Sister Ursula. She was born Anna Lawrence Infante in New York City in February 1897. As a young girl, Anna had the chance to meet Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, our namesake saint.

In 1915, when Anna decided to follow a religious vocation, she chose the name Sister Ursula Infante and Saint Frances Cabrini was by her side, encouraging her, offering guidance. It seems that this set Sister Ursula on a path that was destined to be great.

Sister Urrnla's education is quite impressive in itself. She has degrees in science and pharmacy, and worked in education for 33 years before coming to Radnor and founding Cabrini College in 1957.

For IO years Sister Ursula led the college with her strength and wisdom, and indeed set Cabrini College on a path to its current successes.

Sister Ursula has assured the legacy of Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini by translating her numerous correspondences from Italian to English, and if you by Dr.

Antoinette Iadarola

college president visit the Cabriniana room on the second floor of Holy Spirit Library, you can see the result of Sister Ursula's efforts.

The intellectual and spiritual contributions Sister Ursula has made to Cabrini College will live on as her special legacy for the next 40 years and far beyond.

Sister Ursula has touched many lives over the past 100 years, and it is so wonderful to know that she still maintains the relationships she forged with students, staff and faculty 40 years ago. She even hired some of the faculty still at Cabrini. Anyone will tell you that Sister Ursula literally lights up any room she enters. We are fortunate to have such a source of energy among us now.

Over the next few months, whenever we see Sister Ursula here on campus, let us of course offer her a resounding "Happy Birthday," but let us also take time to thank her for all she has given us. Without Sister Ursula, there would be no 40th Anniversary celebration and there certainly would be a lot less light in the world.