St. Katharine Drexel

St. Katharine Drexel was an American heiress turned nun who dedicated her life and fortune to serving African American and Native American communities through education and missionary work. She founded Xavier University of Louisiana and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

Katharine Mary Drexel was born on November 26, 1858, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into one of the wealthiest families in the United States. Her father, Francis Drexel, was a prominent banker, and her stepmother Emma Bouvier Drexel was known for her deep faith and charitable acts. From a young age, Katharine was exposed to the idea that wealth was a gift to be shared with those in need. Her family regularly opened their home to the poor and provided aid to struggling communities, instilling in Katharine a strong sense of compassion and responsibility.

Despite the comfort and privilege of her upbringing, Katharine felt a growing spiritual calling. After a trip to the Western U.S., she saw firsthand the suffering and marginalization of Native American communities. Her experience deeply moved her and laid the foundation for her life's mission. She also recognized the systemic racism and educational inequities affecting African American communities in the South. Realizing that charitable donations alone were not enough, she decided to devote her entire life to these causes.

In 1891, after receiving guidance from Pope Leo XIII, who encouraged her to become a missionary herself rather than merely fund missionaries, Katharine founded the religious order known as the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The order was specifically dedicated to the education and upliftment of African Americans and Native Americans. As a nun, Katharine gave up her personal fortune — an inheritance estimated at $20 million (equivalent to hundreds of millions today) — to fund the construction of schools, missions, and churches across the country.

Throughout her lifetime, St. Katharine Drexel founded over 60 schools and missions, including Xavier University of Louisiana, the first historically Black Catholic university in the United States. Her initiatives provided access to education for thousands who had been systematically denied it. She faced resistance and racism but remained unwavering in her efforts, guided by a strong devotion to the Eucharist and a deep sense of justice.

St. Katharine’s health began to decline in 1935 after a heart attack, and she spent the final years of her life in quiet prayer. Even during this period, she inspired and guided her order in their work. She passed away on March 3, 1955, at the age of 96, and was originally buried at the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Her remains were later moved to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

On October 1, 2000, Katharine Drexel was canonized a saint by Pope John Paul II. The cause for her canonization included verified miracles attributed to her intercession, including the miraculous healing of a child. Today, St. Katharine Drexel is remembered not only for her extraordinary acts of charity but also for her pioneering advocacy for racial equality and education in the United States. Her feast day is celebrated on March 3, and she is the second American-born saint to be canonized.

Feast Day

3-3-1955

Birth Date

26-11-1858

Died Date

3-3-1955

Canonised Date

1-10-2000

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

St. Katharine Drexel, Devoted servant of the poor and the marginalized, Pray for us to live with compassion and generosity. Help us to follow your example of selfless service, And to work for justice and equality in the world. Amen.
ST. KATHARINE DREXEL

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ST. KATHARINE DREXEL

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