Becoming "Cabrini": Actress Cristiana Dell'Anna on Portraying a Catholic Saint with an Open Heart

Italian actress Cristiana Dell'Anna joins ChurchPOP editor Jacqueline Burkepile to discuss her role as St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in the new Angels Studios' film, "Cabrini."
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first canonized saint from the United States. As a Catholic sister, she immigrated from Italy and founded almost 70 institutions worldwide. These facilities included orphanages, hospitals, and schools for the poor, abandoned, and marginalized.
"Cabrini" tells a powerful, action-packed story about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (portrayed by Dell'Anna) who heroically fought for human dignity for countless lives. Her mission continues today throughout the world.
Dell'Anna explains why she took this role, how she prepared for it, and how the Catholic saint inspires her and her role in the film. She also reveals an unforgettable experience during production, and what she hopes the audience will take from the film.
Stay tuned until the end of the interview for the "Cabrini" trailer.
Content from this interview is written and produced by Jacqueline Burkepile, ChurchPOP.com editor.

[@magic2506]

Should be nominated for Best Actress for doing this film.

[@georgepizzo9396]

Mother Cabrini appeared to my great aunt sometime in the 1940' s and cured her. My wife and I are going to see this powerful movie this week. When I lived in NY as a young boy my parent's took us to the Cloisters where we saw Mother Cabrini in tact on the side of the alter. As a child and being of Italian roots my grandmother always told stories of her.

[@lindakaldestad5874]

A beautiful interview where the depth of both women are touched-so touches us!

[@harrypempo2122]

Excellent acting by Christiana Dell'Anna,good acting by supporting cast too

[@galaxyn3214]

This was an excellent interview!

[@go2yourself]

Appreciate this interview... My best take away...we can serve our weakness or we can serve our purpose NOT BOTH 👍🏾💃♥️

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

I can imagine Mother Cabrini meeting Mother Teresa in Heaven and the loving, wonderful, joyful discussions giing on while surrounded by those other spirits they so much helped and served on earth.

[@bluinternationalmusicduo2762]

Lovely film.. moving powerful hopeful .. acting, sets , etc excellent

[@mikebejank]

The movie and all performances were phenominal. I hope Christiana is recoginzed at awards time next year along with supporting players. Wonderful film!

[@tygerstar35]

Excellent film! Beautiful and powerful!

[@TaiChiWithMe]

One more thing. Regarding the feeling of having forgotten something or having left something behind that Christina shares in this interview, I saw an interview years ago by an important professional actress, whoes name I can't recall where she shared that when you are an actress or an actor, you leave little parts of yourself behind on stages all over the world that you have performed on after the performance is over. Perhaps that applies to what You were feeling, Christina, when you finished filming Cabrini. Love, David

[@emiliomendoza653]

Jesus Christ Frees us ❤

[@TaiChiWithMe]

I am wowed by Christina Dell'Anna! Seeing her attractive sensual womanly beauty on camera, in this interview when contrasted with the basically sexless heroic nun that she portrayed in Cabrina is, for me a powerfull testimony of her extrordinary acting ability. I salute you Christina!. Love, David

[@glennlanham6309]

kinda pervy dude

[@LS-ei7xk]

Nuns-- or sisters-- are not sexless; those of us in religious life just channel the energy differently (hopefully!) But I know what you mean, re: the acting. Christiana Dell'Anna did a marvelous job.

[@glennlanham6309]

@@LS-ei7xk Considerng a vocation right now..I am ANYTHING but....in fact, its one of my worries

[@LS-ei7xk]

@@glennlanham6309 I will pray for you. Try to consult a good spiritual director.

[@jrl507]

The secularization of a Catholic Saint put into a movie … Do we not ask specific questions about the actor’s beliefs in an interview? Mother Cabrini had a deep devotion and faith to God, Christ and the blessed Mother … popular culture can’t show an analogue for this woman…so people, not understanding “the Christian religious”, cannot understand the woman. The movie failed in that sense to open the veil of those dedicated to the spiritual life and bridge the divide.

[@glennlanham6309]

I just want to know why the name of Jesus was uttered ONCE (In Italian) in this movie, and the only prayer shown-literally- is grace in Latin before a meal. Pelagianism???

[@harrycahill2140]

What’s this British accent!? Is this Patrizia!? 😂

[@carolina2406-x1j]

Christiana is Italian. Most Europeans who learn English will learn British English, not the American, Australian, etc. She also went to acting school in London.