Lent Day 13 - Another Day in the Desert - What would you do with an inheritance of millions?
Saint Katharine Drexal
Feast Day March 3
Saint Katharine was born into the wealthy family of Francis Anthony and Emma (Douvier) Drexel in 1858. Her parents, entrepreneurs and philanthropists, taught her and her sisters to use their wealth and talents for the benefit of others. Following the example of her parents, and taking an early interest in the well-being of African Americans and Native Americans, Saint Katharine donated her wealth, time and talents, starting schools, and missions dedicated to their education.
In 1887 she asked Pope Leo XIII to send more missionaries to help her causes, and the pope replied “Why don’t you become a missionary?” Four years later, Saint Katharine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored, now known as Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
By 1942 she had organized a system of Black Catholic schools in 13 states, 40 mission centers, 23 rural schools, 50 Indian missions, and the first Black Catholic University in the United States, Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. By the time of her death March 3, 1955, there were 500 Sisters teaching in 63 schools throughout the United States. Pope JP II canonized Saint Katharine Drexal in 2000 where she became the second recognized American-born saint.
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