St Katharine Drexel

Saint Katharine Drexel

St Katharine Drexel (1858 – 1955) whose feast is today.

Some of her insight may be found in these three ideas (the other being under the picture): “The patient and humble endurance of the cross—whatever nature it may be— is the highest work we have to.”

“We must attract them by joy, in order to lead them to its source: the Heart of Christ.”

Drexel, the Philadelphia heiress who renounced a life of privilege used her family’s money to work for Jesus Christ: she worked to help the minority population in the USA, founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and sought to share profundity of the Cross of Christ in joy. A millionaire turned saint…read Suzanne Duque Salvo’s poignant narrative of this American saint.

Mother Katharine was a determined and a cheerful woman of faith.

Saint Katharine Drexel

God of love, you called Saint Katharine Drexel to teach the message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the Native American and African American peoples; by her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and the oppressed, and keep us undivided in love in the eucharistic community of your Church.

His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, OMI, said in his book, The Difference God Makes, “It is is precisely as a disciple of Christ that Katharine taught Americans how to be true to themselves as Americans.” Look at pages 55-58.

George is right, she is one of the greatest women of the Church in the United States, Saint Katharine Drexel. May God raise up more like her! May Saint Katharine beg the Holy Spirit for His grace.

Saint Katharine Drexel

The outline of Katharine Drexel’s life is:

Born in Philadelphia, PA on Nov. 26, 1858

First sister to profess vows as a Sister of the Blessed Sacrament on Feb. 12, 1891

Died on March 3, 1955

Beatified on Nov. 20, 1988

Canonized on Oct. 1, 2000

With the Church we pray,

Ever-loving God, You called Saint Katharine Drexel to teach the message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the African American and Native American peoples. By her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and the oppressed, and keep us undivided in love in the eucharistic community of Your Church.

Saint Katharine’s connection to Maryhelp – Belmont Abbey is that she used a portion of her personal wealth to help build a number of churches, including the abbey church, for the first abbot of Maryhelp, Abbot-bishop Leo Haid. She also visited the abbey. So, we can say that a saint walked on this soil! A sign in the Abbey Basilica narthex commemorates this fact. May Saint Katharine continue to intercede for us and help us to know the Lord.