Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
If you had millions of dollars to spend, what would you do with it? What would be your dream? One wealthy young American woman decided the best use of her money was to serve those most neglected in our society - the Native and African Americans.
Katharine Drexel made the change from philanthropist to saint when she dedicated herself and her fortune to God by taking vows as a religious Sister in 1891. Katharine was born on November 26, 1858 into a wealthy Philadelphia family. She enjoyed a life of travel, an excellent education and an interesting, exciting social life. Her father and stepmother were devout Catholics who put their beliefs into action by helping the poor. Thus Katharine learned to care for others.
After the death of her parents, Katharine and her two sisters inherited a fortune. Her sisters married but Katharine was undecided about her future. She and her sisters supported various worthy causes. Katharine took a special interest in the mission work done among the Native Americans as well as African Americans.
Her spiritual advisor suggested that she found a religious order to undertake this work. Katherine decision to give her life to God as a religious Sister was the talk of Philadelphia. With several companions she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The order was dedicated to the spreading of the Gospel among the Native Americans and African American populations as well as providing for their material well-being.
Raised in the lifestyle of the wealthy, she lived the life of a poor religious. She was known to use pencils until they were stubs and sewed her shoelaces together when they broke rather than buy a new pair.
Mother Katherine spoke out against racism and resisted any attempts to stopthe establishment of schools even in the midst of hostility and threats of violence. She believed that it was in and through the Eucharist that the hostility and racism that separated people would be overcome.
She died on March 3, 1955 at the age of ninety-six. She was canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul II.
For more information read:
"Heroic Catholics of the Twentieth Century" By Sister Elizabeth Ann Barkett, SJW
New Hope Publications
New Hope, KY
or
Sister of St. Joseph the Worker
Walton, Ky
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