Born to a wealthy Philadelphia banking family, she gave her vast inheritance to God's work. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, opening schools and missions for Native American and Black communities and founding Xavier University.
Life
Saint Katharine Drexel was born in 1858 into a wealthy banking family in Philadelphia. Her parents set an example for their children of helping the poor, and she inherited a great fortune from them. When she asked Pope Leo XIII to send priests for the missions among Native Americans, he is said to have suggested that she become a missionary herself.
In 1891 she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to serve Native Americans and Black Americans, and throughout her life she gave her fortune to schools and missions for them. She also founded Xavier University in New Orleans for Black students. She died in 1955 and was canonized in 2000.
Spirituality
Katharine Drexel's spirituality is justice and love flowing from the Eucharist. Before the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament, she came to see that every person is equally precious as a child of God. So she gave her fortune and her whole life without reserve for those who suffered discrimination.
Reflection
Saint Katharine gave her life for those who faced discrimination in American society. As immigrants, we too know the pain of discrimination. What care could you show today to a neighbor on the margins?