Saint Katharine Drexel
A wealthy heiress who devoted her life to Native Americans and African Americans
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Founder, Religious
- Life
- 1858 – 1955
- Era
- 20th century
- Feast
- 3 March
- Countries
- United States
Life story
Katharine Drexel was born on 26 November 1858 in Philadelphia, a daughter of Francis Drexel, a wealthy banker. Her parents lived devoutly and often helped the poor, and she and her two sisters were carefully educated and travelled widely. When their parents died, the three sisters inherited a large fortune.
During a visit to Rome in 1887, Katharine asked Leo XIII to send more missionaries to serve Native Americans. According to the account, he asked why she herself should not do the work. In 1891 she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People and herself took vows.
She used her own funds to open dozens of schools and mission centres, from boarding schools for Native children to schools for African Americans in the South. In 1925 she founded Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, the first Catholic university for Black Americans in the United States.
After a heart attack in 1935 she lived for many years in the convent, chiefly in prayer, and died on 3 March 1955 at the age of 96. John Paul II beatified her in 1988 and canonised her on 1 October 2000. Her feast is kept on 3 March, the day of her death. The congregation she founded still works in education and social service, and the university she established in New Orleans continues today as a leading institution. She is regarded as one of the most generous donors in the history of American Catholicism, having given away most of her inheritance.
Works and witness
- Asked Leo XIII to send missionaries to Native Americans in 1887
- Founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1891
- Used her fortune to open dozens of schools and missions
- Founded Xavier University in New Orleans in 1925
- Beatified in 1988, canonised in 2000
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
- Consuela Marie Duffy, Katharine Drexel: A Biography
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.