Witnesses of Love

Katharine
Drexel was a most unlikely candidate to become the second American saint. Born in 1858 to a wealthy Philadelphia banker, she received a private education and as a young woman was privileged to travel widely in the U.S. and Europe. It was on her trips to the West that she came to empathize with the poor educational opportunities of Native American Indians. When she approached the Holy Father for sisters to staff the school she founded for them in 1885 at Santa Fe, he suggested that she become their missionary herself. Bringing her entire inheritance of $20 million, at the age of 33 she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored

Living signs of Christs presence in the world

Saint Katharine Drexel (1858-1955)

People, wisely dispensing her funds to build schools. The communitys title expressed the two great driving forces of her life. At her death in 1955, 500 of her sisters operated 63 schools for Native Americans in the West and blacks in the South. Becoming an outspoken apostle for racial tolerance, she opened Xavier University, the first U.S. College for Black Catholics. These tremendous achievements did not keep her from assuming the most humble duties and living as a really poor religious. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000. Her feast day is March 3, commemorating the day of her death in 1955.
Sr. Mary Loretta Pastva, SND

Relationship
living our jesuswith christ

Katharine Drexel is the patron saint of racial justice and philanthropists.

For Reflection

"...humble endurance of the cross whatever nature it may beis the highest work we have to do.
Saint Katharine Drexel
Photo provided by Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Archives www.katharinedrexel.org

1. St. Katharine spent the twenty years following a serious heart attack in prayer and meditation, keeping journals of her prayers and thoughts. What special insights into Gods goodness, devotion to the Blessed Sacrament or the Blessed Mother have I received during my life? How have they influenced my day-today living? 2. What courage have I shown to speak out and perform actions against injustice? 3. How am I called to contribute to the ongoing campaign of bringing about Gods kingdom on earth?

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