|
Daughter of the extremely
wealthy railroad entrepreneurs and philanthropists Francis Anthony and
Emma (Bouvier) Drexel. Taught from an early age to use her wealth for the
benefit of others; her parents even opened their home to the poor several
days each week. Katharine's older sister Elizabeth founded a Pennsylvania
trade school for orphans; her younger sister founded a liberal arts and
vocational school for poor blacks in Virginia. Katharine nursed her mother
through a fatal three-year illness before setting out on her own; Emma
died in 1883.
Interested in the condition of Native Americans, during an audience in
1887, she asked Pope Leo XIII to send more missionaries to Wyoming for her
friend, Bishop James O'Connor. The pope replied, "Why don't you become a
missionary?"
She visited the Dakotas, met the Sioux chief, and began her systematic aid
to Indian missions, eventually spending millions of the family fortune.
Entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Mercy. Founded the Sisters of the
Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored, now known simply as the Sisters
of the Blessed Sacrament in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA in 1891. Advised by
Mother Frances Cabrini on getting the Order's rule approved in Rome. She
received the approval in 1913.
By 1942 she had a system of black Catholic schools in 13 states, 40
mission centers, 23 rural schools, 50 Indian missions, and Xavier
University in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, the first United States
university for blacks. Segregationists harassed her work.
Following a heart attack, she spent her last twenty years in prayer and
meditation.
The Shrine of Saint Katharine
at the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, 1663
Bristol Pike, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, USA 19020-8502, tel/215.639.7878,
email/ kathdrexel@aol.com; it is
open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm weekdays.
|
