Celebrating Saint Katharine Drexel

A notable anniversary
March 3, 2005 will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Saint Katharine Drexel. The life and work of this remarkable Philadelphia heiress have touched the lives of countless men and women throughout the United States and other parts of the world. Our celebration of the feast of Saint Katharine Drexel affords us the opportunity to express our humble gratitude to Almighty God who continues to raise up heroic individuals like Saint Katharine who show forth the holiness of the Church.
The various circumstances in the life of Katharine Drexel can appeal to people from all walks of life. As a daughter and sister, Katharine was immersed in a healthy and happy family life. She and her sisters were not excused from household duties and responsibilities. The girls’ education was a high priority. However, the devout practice of the Catholic faith, including family prayer, was the highest priority. As an heiress, her great wealth offered her a life of privilege. Yet Katharine would use her privileges and wealth to bring relief and hope to our nation 's most oppressed and destitute people. As the Foundress of a religious community, Katharine was a visionary with the incisive mind of a businesswoman while maintaining the tender heart of a mother. As a consecrated religious, Katharine devoted her life to prayer, particularly the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, the “source and summit” of all of her missionary activity. In her later years, the elderly and infirm Katharine entrusted herself to Divine Providence, accepting with dignity and gratitude her hardships and sufferings united with Christ Crucified.
Although Saint Katharine belongs to the entire Church, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia can boast of a special relationship with her. Within the City of Philadelphia, Katharine was born and raised. Here, Katharine’s devout father and stepmother taught their daughters how to live an active faith proven by generous service to the poor. Within our Archdiocese, Katharine established the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for the evangelization and service of the African American and Native American people. At Saint Elizabeth Convent in Bensalem, Bucks County, the remains of Saint Katharine Drexel are interred and venerated by all those who seek her prayerful intercession.

The Eucharist: Center of Katharine's Life and Mission
Already in advanced years, while reflecting on her life, Katharine wrote: “Blessed indeed am I who have seen and heard what I have heard from childhood, as a member of Holy Mother the Church, partaking of her sacraments” (Duffy, Katharine Drexel: A Biography). Through the strong example of a family who valued the Catholic Faith and heritage, Saint Katharine kept fixed within her heart an appreciation for the transforming power of the sacraments, especially the Most Holy Eucharist. Recognizing within the Eucharist the self-giving love of Jesus, Katharine was given every grace and strength of conviction to pour out, not only her wealth but her entire being, to bring knowledge and love of the Eucharistic Lord to those in need.
Katharine's mission flowed out of her encounter with her Eucharistic Lord. Katharine acknowledged with reverence the mystery of the Incarnation, the wonder of the Word Made Flesh for the salvation of the human race. With a heart refined by charity, Katharine observed the plight of the Native American and African American people and knew that she was called by God to make a difference. She established the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to transform by the love of Christ those whose lives were steeped in misery and hopelessness. With courage gleaned from hours of prayer, Katharine clashed against every form of prejudice, racism and bigotry. She expended all of her energy to ensure that all people, particularly the poor and neglected, would know and love Jesus Crucified and Risen in the Holy Eucharist.

The Eucharist: Legacy of the Saints of Philadelphia
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is blessed to have in our history two great saints who have left us an example of selfless service. The life, mission and witness of Saint Katharine Drexel is complemented by the life, mission and witness of our other Saint, John Nepomucene Neumann. Both saints sacrificed much (Katharine her fortune; John his home and family) to spend themselves completely for the mission of the Church. Both saints were energized by hours spent in prayer. Both saints had a passionate love for Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. All that Saints Katharine Drexel and John Neumann accomplished for and through the Eucharist is their legacy given to the entire Church, but — in a particular way — to the Church in Philadelphia.
In this Year of the Eucharist, we look to the example of Saints Katharine Drexel and John Neumann. They embody significantly a sentiment expressed so clearly by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter on The Eucharist in the Life and Mission of the Church, Mane Nobiscum Domine:
“Once we have truly met the Risen One by partaking of his body and blood, we cannot keep to ourselves the joy we have experienced. The encounter with Christ, constantly intensified and deepened in the Eucharist, issues in the Church and in every Christian an urgent summons to testimony and evangelization... The Eucharist not only provides the interior strength needed for this mission, but is also — in some sense — its plan. For the Eucharist is a mode of being, which passes from Jesus into each Christian, through whose testimony it is meant to spread throughout society and culture. For this to happen, each member of the faithful must assimilate, through personal and communal meditation, the values which the Eucharist expresses, the attitudes it inspires, the resolutions to which it gives rise. Can we not see here a special charge which could emerge from this Year of the Eucharist?” (no. 24-25).
Still in the early light of the Third Millennium, we look to Saints Katharine Drexel and John Neumann who invite their brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to take up the cause so dear to their hearts: make our Eucharistic Lord praised, adored, and loved at every moment in all our tabernacles. We must never forget that the Eucharist, through Holy Communion and through Eucharistic Adoration, can and will produce new saints for this new millennium. The words of Saint Katharine illustrate: “O Jesus, I adore You in the host of exposition. This act of adoration by union with it is no trivial act, but will with certitude sanctify and transform my soul” (Groeschel, Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with the Saints).
Ever mindful of what fruits will be produced through more widespread Adoration, I renew my appeal to my brother priests: Do all possible to encourage Eucharistic Adoration in our parishes. I appeal to all the faithful: Come to Jesus. Visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Whether exposed in the monstrance or present in the tabernacle, Jesus is there, ready to lavish abundant graces on those who come to Him. This is the legacy of our saints!