Saint of the day, March 3 - Zeale
St. Katharine Drexel was born in mid-19th century Philadelphia to the wealthy investment banker and philanthropist, Francis Drexel and his wife Hannah. Katharine’s mother died only 5 weeks after giving birth. A few years later, Francis remarried, and his wife Emma lovingly raised Katharine and her older sister, Elizabeth, alongside her and Francis’ daughter.
March 3 - Saint Katharine Drexel
Born: November 26, 1858, Philadelphia, United States
Died: March 3, 1955, Cornwells Heights, United States
Nationality: American
Vocation: religious
Attributes: religious habit, book, surrounded by children
Patronage: racial justice, philanthropists
Canonization: October, 2000, Pope John Paul II
St. Katharine Drexel was born in mid-19th century Philadelphia to the wealthy investment banker and philanthropist, Francis Drexel and his wife Hannah. Katharine’s mother died only 5 weeks after giving birth. A few years later, Francis remarried, and his wife Emma lovingly raised Katharine and her older sister, Elizabeth, alongside her and Francis’ daughter.
Though members of high society and multimillionaires, the Drexel family sought to put God first and instilled that in their children, opening their house three days a week to serve the poor. Katharine received an excellent education, traveling abroad and having a formal debut into society.
While traveling cross-country as a young woman, her heart was drawn to the plight of Native Americans on reservations. Katharine met Pope Leo XIII while abroad and asked him to send more missionaries to the states, to which he replied, “Why don’t you become a missionary?”
After her father’s death, Katharine used her vast inheritance to found schools and churches for the underprivileged. Feeling drawn to contemplative life, she entered the Sisters of Mercy, but was soon asked by her spiritual director, Bishop James O’Connor, to found a religious order to serve African Americans and Native Americans.
In 1891, Katharine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and with a band of 13 sisters set about her ministry, founding schools and convents throughout the country. During her lifetime, she established Catholic schools in 13 states, and opened 50 missions for Native Americans. Though attacked by segregationists who even burned down one of the schools, Katharine persisted in her work.
After suffering a heart attack, Katharine had to retire from her mission efforts and spent the last 20 years of her life devoted to prayer and writing. She died at 96-years-old and became the second American-born saint.
