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St. Katharine Drexel "But why not be a missionary yourself, my child?" Pope Leo XIII posed this question to Katharine Drexel in January 1887 when she and her two sisters were granted an audience with the Holy Father. Katharine had shared her desire for a contemplative life, and had also told the Pope about the needs of the Native Americans and Blacks she had learned about while traveling with her father, and her desire to be of help. She had been responding to the need with the funding of mission schools. His response challenged her to be like the rich young man who Christ invited to give up everything and follow him.  The parallel to the rich young man is very appropriate. Katharine had inherited more than 15 million dollars from her father who had been an investment banker (the equivalent today of more than 225 million!). She inherited her desire to give to the poor both from her father and her stepmother, Emma Bouvier, who had taken the three sisters to the front of their Philadelphia home to distribute food, clothing, medical supplies and rent money. When some were too proud to come to them for help, they sought them out, but always quietly. Emma Drexel had told her daughters "Kindness may be unkind if it leaves a sting behind." When Katharine had been twenty-one, her mother developed cancer, and Katharine nursed her through three years of intense suffering.Katharine's desire to give her money to the poor and to follow Christ in a life of service to the Native Americans and Blacks shocked Philadelphia society. One paper carried the banner headline "Miss Drexel Enters a Catholic Convent - Gives Up Seven Million" Even her uncle tried to dissuade her pleading, "Stay with us who love you." However, following the desire of her heart, and the challenge of the Holy Father, Katharine entered the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Pittsburgh in May 1889 to begin her six-month postulancy. Once completed she founded the order of Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament who were dedicated to the education and welfare of the Blacks and Native Americans. She had said that she felt called to be their mother and servant. From that time, until her death in 1955, she dedicated her life and fortune to this work.  In 1894, Mother Drexel had taken part in opening the first mission school for Native Americans, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Other schools quickly followed - for Native Americans west of the Mississippi River, and for the Blacks in the southern part of the United States. In 1915 she also founded Xavier University in New Orleans. At the time of her death there were more than 500 Sisters teaching in 63 schools throughout the country. Katharine was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 20, 1988, and was canonized October 1, 2000. |
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More on St. Katharine A lesson plan is available on the life of St. Katharine, http://www.missionsla.org/missionprograms/hca/pdfs/hca_lessons/katdrexel.pdf |
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 A VHS tape titled "The Canonization of Katherine Drexel can be found at: http://www.catholicstore.com/search/index.cfm/FuseAction/detailSearch/SKU/ 11146/affiliate/patronsaintsindex47 |
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 Also available is a video tape presented by, Father Benedict which reflects on the inner call Katharine felt, and how she found the courage to deal with hostility and prejudice. http://www.sacredheart.com/catholic_videos_saint_katharine_drexel.htm |
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 Saint Katharine Drexel Friend of the Oppresse a book by Ellen Tarry tells the true story of an American heiress who selflessly surrendered her life and her fortune to God. http://www.pauline.org/store/moreinfo/0819870420.html |
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Prayer:
Ever loving God, You called Blessed Katharine Drexel to share the message of the Gospel and the life of the Eucharist with the poor and oppressed among Native and African American peoples. Through her intercession, may we grow in the faith and love that will enable us to be united as brothers and sisters in You. Draw us all into the Eucharistic community of Your Church, that we may be one in You. We pray this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Captions: Drexel_1: Katharine at age 7. |
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| Previous Saints of the Month Saint Francis of Assisi St. Anthony Mary Claret St. Katharine Drexel Blessed Damien of Molokai Uganda Martyrs Saint Martin De Porres Saint Mother Cabrini Saint Francis Xavier Saint Therese of Lisieux |
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