St Katharine Drexel

Patron of racial justice, philanthropy, Native Americans and African Americans.

Feast Day: March 3rd

Religious

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Public Domain: Katharine Drexel.jpg via Wikimedia Commons.

Feast Day: March 3rd

Religious

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

About

St. Katharine Drexel was born into great wealth in Philadelphia. Her father was a successful banker, and she inherited millions of dollars. But instead of living a life of luxury, she was deeply moved by the suffering and injustice faced by Native Americans and African Americans in the United States. After meeting Pope Leo XIII and asking him to send missionaries to serve Native communities, he challenged her instead: “Why don’t you become a missionary?” She took those words seriously. In 1891, she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, dedicating her life and fortune to education and evangelization. She helped establish more than 60 schools and founded Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black Catholic university in the United States.

Legacy

St. Katharine Drexel gave away over $20 million (a vast fortune at the time) to build schools, missions, and churches. She used her privilege not for comfort, but for justice rooted in the Gospel. She faced racism, threats, and even hostility for her work, yet she remained steadfast. Her life is a powerful example of carrying one’s cross not through physical martyrdom, but through sacrificial generosity and courageous service. Her legacy continues today through Catholic education and ministries serving marginalized communities.

“If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them.” — St. Katharine Drexel