Saint Katharine Drexel Saint Katharine Drexel StoryStory

November 26, 1858 – March 3, November 26, 1858 – March 3, 19551955

The story begins in The story begins in Dornbirn Austria April 1, Dornbirn Austria April 1,

17921792

Self Portrait Self Portrait Francis – Catherine - MaryFrancis – Catherine - Mary

Family FortuneFamily Fortune

• Francis Martin Drexel was a portrait artist, Francis Martin Drexel was a portrait artist, born in Dornbirn, Austria born in Dornbirn, Austria

• Immigrated to America in 1817Immigrated to America in 1817

• Started a currency brokerage business Started a currency brokerage business 18371837

• 1847 opened Drexel & Sons1847 opened Drexel & Sons

• Francis A. Drexel, age 29 becomes Francis A. Drexel, age 29 becomes President of the Company, which became President of the Company, which became one of the leading banks in Americaone of the leading banks in America

Katharine’s FatherKatharine’s Father

Francis Anthony Drexel

March 4, 1824 – February 29, 1885

Katharine’s MotherKatharine’s Mother

Hannah Langstroth Drexel

January 14, 1826 – December 29, 1858

Young Katharine and Young Katharine and ElizabethElizabeth

Katharine Mary DrexelKatharine Mary Drexel

Katie at age 7

HomeHome

•The family lived atThe family lived at– 433 Race Street433 Race Street– Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Katharine’s New MotherKatharine’s New Mother

Emma Bouvier Drexel

May 18, 1833 – January 29, 1883

Married to Francis Anthony Drexel

April 10, 1860

New HomeNew Home

• After the marriage between Francis After the marriage between Francis and Emma the family moved to:and Emma the family moved to:– 1503 Walnut Street1503 Walnut Street– Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

•Here Mrs. Drexel opened the doors of the home 3 days a week to help the poor by distributing food, clothing and other essentials

San Michel - Summer HomeSan Michel - Summer Home

•1870 Parents purchase their Summer Home in the Torresdale section of Philadelphia

•Named for Saint Michael the Archangel

•St. Michael was the Family's Patron Saint

Elizabeth and Katharine'sElizabeth and Katharine'sSunday SchoolSunday School

SpiritualitySpirituality

• Francis and Emma were Catholic.Francis and Emma were Catholic.

• Parents taught the children that Parents taught the children that money was a gift from God to be money was a gift from God to be shared with the poor.shared with the poor.

• The Drexel girls received their The Drexel girls received their Religious Instructions from the Religious Instructions from the Religious of the Sacred Heart in a Religious of the Sacred Heart in a nearby Convent.nearby Convent.

EducationEducation

• Private TutorsPrivate Tutors

• In addition to Academics they studied In addition to Academics they studied Fine Arts and languageFine Arts and language

• Travel was also a part of their Travel was also a part of their educationeducation

• The Drexel girls traveled with their The Drexel girls traveled with their parents throughout America and parents throughout America and EuropeEurope

TragedyTragedy

• 1879 Mrs. Drexel takes ill1879 Mrs. Drexel takes ill

• Katharine helps with her mother’s Katharine helps with her mother’s carecare

• 1883 Emma dies1883 Emma dies

• 1885 Mr. Drexel dies suddenly1885 Mr. Drexel dies suddenly

Last Will and TestamentLast Will and Testament

• Mr. Drexel leaves an estate valued at Mr. Drexel leaves an estate valued at $15,500,000.00$15,500,000.00

• $1,500,000.00 is given to 29 named $1,500,000.00 is given to 29 named charitiescharities

• $14,000,000.00 is put into a trust fund$14,000,000.00 is put into a trust fund

• Drexel girls to receive only the interest, Drexel girls to receive only the interest, estimated to be $1,000.00 a dayestimated to be $1,000.00 a day

• After the death of the Drexel Girls their After the death of the Drexel Girls their children would receive this inheritance children would receive this inheritance

Katharine’s Older SisterKatharine’s Older Sister

Elizabeth Drexel Smith

August 27, 1855 - September 26, 1890

Katharine Drexel at Age 21Katharine Drexel at Age 21

Katharine’s Younger Katharine’s Younger SisterSister

Louise Drexel Morrell

October 2, 1863 – November 4, 1945

Bishop James O’ConnorBishop James O’Connor

•Came from Ireland at age of 15

•Ordained 1848

•1872 appointed as Pastor at St. Dominic

•Became Katharine’s Spiritual Advisor

•Assisted Katharine’s formation as a Religious

•Arranged training with Mercy Sisters

•Convinced her to use her full name

•Permission to maintain control of her inheritance

Lay MinistryLay Ministry• After Mr. Drexel’s death, Bishop Martin Marty, After Mr. Drexel’s death, Bishop Martin Marty,

Dakota and Msgr. Joseph Stephan, Bureau of Dakota and Msgr. Joseph Stephan, Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions asked the Drexel Ladies for Catholic Indian Missions asked the Drexel Ladies for help with financial assistance.help with financial assistance.

• Katharine had an interest in Native American Katharine had an interest in Native American Evangelization since childhood and the girls Evangelization since childhood and the girls promised to help.promised to help.

• The Drexel sisters kept that promise to end of their The Drexel sisters kept that promise to end of their days.days.

• 1886 Katharine buys a building in Santa Fe and 1886 Katharine buys a building in Santa Fe and opens St. Catherine Indian Schoolopens St. Catherine Indian School

Saint Catherine Indian Saint Catherine Indian SchoolSchoolSante Fe, New MexicoSante Fe, New Mexico

•Purchased in 1886

•Opened in1887

•Closed in 1893

•Reopened in 1894 under the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament

IllnessIllness

• In 1886 Katharine became jaundiced and In 1886 Katharine became jaundiced and lost weight, her normal vitality was gone. lost weight, her normal vitality was gone.

• Physicians suggested she travel to a Physicians suggested she travel to a health spa in Germany.health spa in Germany.

• 1886 all three girl left for Germany1886 all three girl left for Germany• Katharine’s health was gradually restored.Katharine’s health was gradually restored.• Remaining true to the promise made to Remaining true to the promise made to

Bishop Marty and Msgr. Stephan the girls Bishop Marty and Msgr. Stephan the girls recruited priests and nuns to go to recruited priests and nuns to go to American as missionaries.American as missionaries.

Journey to Religious LifeJourney to Religious Life• Katharine felt that she had a calling Katharine felt that she had a calling

since she was about 14 years of age.since she was about 14 years of age.

• Her mother was cool to this idea.Her mother was cool to this idea.

• Bishop O’Connor, her Spiritual Bishop O’Connor, her Spiritual Advisor counseled against it.Advisor counseled against it.

• ““You belong in society,” he wrote, “In You belong in society,” he wrote, “In that position, you can do more for that position, you can do more for the Church and Souls.”the Church and Souls.”

• During a visit During a visit with Pope Leo with Pope Leo XIII in 1887, she XIII in 1887, she asked for asked for Missionaries, Missionaries, The Holy Father The Holy Father responded, responded, “Why not you, “Why not you, my child, my child, become a become a missionary?”missionary?”

• September 1887, Katharine, Bishop September 1887, Katharine, Bishop O’Connor and her sisters visited O’Connor and her sisters visited Msgr. Stephan at the Indian School in Msgr. Stephan at the Indian School in the Dakotas.the Dakotas.

• November 1888, Katharine again November 1888, Katharine again discusses Religious Life with Bishop discusses Religious Life with Bishop O’ConnorO’Connor

• January 1889 Katharine was a January 1889 Katharine was a bridesmaid in her sister, Louise’s bridesmaid in her sister, Louise’s wedding.wedding.

• February 1889, Bishop O’Connor agrees with February 1889, Bishop O’Connor agrees with Katharine’s decision to become a Religious.Katharine’s decision to become a Religious.

• O’Connor attempts to persuade her to begin O’Connor attempts to persuade her to begin her own order and she was not enthused.her own order and she was not enthused.

• On March 19, 1889, Feast of St. Joseph, On March 19, 1889, Feast of St. Joseph, Katharine agrees with the Bishop.Katharine agrees with the Bishop.

• The Bishop requested that the Sisters of The Bishop requested that the Sisters of Mercy, Pittsburgh, Pa. provide training for Mercy, Pittsburgh, Pa. provide training for Katharine.Katharine.

• May 7, 1889, Katharine enters the Mercy May 7, 1889, Katharine enters the Mercy Convent as a Postulant for trainingConvent as a Postulant for training

• November 7, 1889 Katharine is accepted as November 7, 1889 Katharine is accepted as a Novice.a Novice.

• May 27, 1890, Bishop O’Connor died in Omaha, May 27, 1890, Bishop O’Connor died in Omaha, Nebraska where he was Bishop.Nebraska where he was Bishop.

• After the Bishop’s death, Katharine received a letter After the Bishop’s death, Katharine received a letter of sympathy from Philadelphia’s Archbishop Patrick of sympathy from Philadelphia’s Archbishop Patrick J. Ryan.J. Ryan.

• Ryan asks Katharine “If I share the burden with you, Ryan asks Katharine “If I share the burden with you, if I help you, can you go on.”if I help you, can you go on.”

• September 7, 1890, Elizabeth dies in childbirth, September 7, 1890, Elizabeth dies in childbirth, along with her unborn son.along with her unborn son.

• During her time as a Novice, Katharine purchases a During her time as a Novice, Katharine purchases a 67 acre site for the new Motherhouse in Bensalem, 67 acre site for the new Motherhouse in Bensalem, Pa.Pa.

• Katharine Drexel professes Katharine Drexel professes her vows asher vows as the first Sister the first Sister of the Blessed Sacrament of the Blessed Sacrament on February 12, 1891.on February 12, 1891.

• Katharine and the new Katharine and the new Sisters move into the Sisters move into the Drexel’s former summer Drexel’s former summer home in Torresdale and home in Torresdale and begin the new Order.begin the new Order.

• December 1892, the December 1892, the Motherhouse construction Motherhouse construction is finished enough to allow is finished enough to allow the Sisters to move in.the Sisters to move in.

• The new Convent is named The new Convent is named St. Elizabeth, to honor the St. Elizabeth, to honor the memory of Katharine’s memory of Katharine’s older Sisterolder Sister..

Katharine Drexel - Katharine Drexel - MissionaryMissionary• 1892 Holy Providence School opens in 1892 Holy Providence School opens in

Bensalem.Bensalem.

• June 13, 1894, Katharine sends the first June 13, 1894, Katharine sends the first SBS to mission at St. Catherine Indian SBS to mission at St. Catherine Indian School.School.

• Katharine purchases land in Powhatan, Katharine purchases land in Powhatan, Virginia and builds a school for black Virginia and builds a school for black girls.girls.

• Fall 1899 St. Francis de Sales School Fall 1899 St. Francis de Sales School opens.opens.

• December 3, 1902, St. Michael Indian December 3, 1902, St. Michael Indian School opens in Arizona.School opens in Arizona.

• September 5, 1905, Immaculate September 5, 1905, Immaculate Mother, Nashville, Tennessee, opensMother, Nashville, Tennessee, opens

• 1906, Katharine Drexel sends SBS to 1906, Katharine Drexel sends SBS to St. Patrick Church, Carlisle, Pa to teach St. Patrick Church, Carlisle, Pa to teach Black and Native Americans religion.Black and Native Americans religion.

• 1915 Xavier Prep School opens.1915 Xavier Prep School opens.• 1925 Xavier University opens.1925 Xavier University opens.• By the time Katharine Drexel died, she By the time Katharine Drexel died, she

had opened more than 60 schools for had opened more than 60 schools for the Black and Native American the Black and Native American peoples.peoples.

St. Michael Indian SchoolSt. Michael Indian SchoolSaint Michael, ArizonaSaint Michael, Arizona

Opened in 1902 still in operation today

Xavier UniversityXavier UniversityNew Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana

Opened 1925

RetirementRetirement

• 1935 Katharine suffers a mild heart attack 1935 Katharine suffers a mild heart attack while traveling.while traveling.

• Later that year, she suffers a second heart Later that year, she suffers a second heart attack and returns to St. Elizabeth attack and returns to St. Elizabeth Convent.Convent.

• Mother Katharine, although ill, continues Mother Katharine, although ill, continues as the Congregation’s Superior until 1937.as the Congregation’s Superior until 1937.

• Katharine retires as Mother M. Mercedes is Katharine retires as Mother M. Mercedes is elected as the Superior.elected as the Superior.

Mother Katharine's Mother Katharine's WheelchairWheelchair

•Due to her failing health, physicians tell Katharine to purchase a wheelchair so that she would able to be moved around.

•Mother Katharine would not allow the money for a chair to be spent on her.

•Workers made this chair from two broken school chairs and an old baby carriage frame.

• Katharine lives out her life in prayer.Katharine lives out her life in prayer.• The last years were spent bed-ridden.The last years were spent bed-ridden.• February 20, 1955, Katharine is diagnosed with lombar February 20, 1955, Katharine is diagnosed with lombar

pneumonia. Two weeks later she is better, but in a pneumonia. Two weeks later she is better, but in a weakened condition.weakened condition.

• Evening of March 2, 1955, Katharine suffers from a Evening of March 2, 1955, Katharine suffers from a severe coughing spell.severe coughing spell.

• 9:05 AM, Thursday, March 3, 1955, Katharine dies quietly 9:05 AM, Thursday, March 3, 1955, Katharine dies quietly in her room.in her room.

• Tuesday, March 8, 1955, her funeral is held at the Tuesday, March 8, 1955, her funeral is held at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, PA.Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, PA.

• Katharine is put to rest in her crypt at St. Elizabeth Katharine is put to rest in her crypt at St. Elizabeth Convent.Convent.

Status of InheritanceStatus of Inheritance

• Elizabeth was first to die, she and her Elizabeth was first to die, she and her baby boy died at childbirthbaby boy died at childbirth

• Louise married but never conceivedLouise married but never conceived• Katharine never marriedKatharine never married• At Katharine’s death the interest At Katharine’s death the interest

stopped and the principal of stopped and the principal of $14,000,000.00 was distributed to $14,000,000.00 was distributed to Mr. Drexel’s named Charities.Mr. Drexel’s named Charities.

The Road to The Road to CanonizationCanonization

• February 27, 1964, John Cardinal February 27, 1964, John Cardinal Krol, introduces cause in RomeKrol, introduces cause in Rome

• January 26, 1987, Katharine Drexel is January 26, 1987, Katharine Drexel is named Venerable.named Venerable.

• November 20, 1988, Venerable November 20, 1988, Venerable Katharine Drexel is BeautifiedKatharine Drexel is Beautified

• October 1, 2000, Blessed Katharine is October 1, 2000, Blessed Katharine is Canonized a SaintCanonized a Saint