Saint Katharine Drexel
OUR PATRON SAINT
Her Life
Katharine Mary Drexel
Born in Philadelphia on November 26, 1858, Katharine Drexel was raised in a family defined by faith and generosity. From an early age she learned what it meant to give selflessly — spending afternoons helping her mother serve the poor and founding a Sunday school for neighbors and employees.
After the death of her parents, Katharine inherited a significant fortune — and chose to give it away. Moved by the suffering of Native American and African American peoples, she began building schools, funding missions, and providing for communities that had been left behind by society and by the Church.
In 1891, she professed her vows as the first Sister of the Blessed Sacrament, founding the congregation that would carry her mission forward. For forty-four years she led that congregation, opening schools and missions across the country rooted in the Eucharist and in service to the marginalized.
Saint Katharine Drexel died on March 3, 1955. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000. Her feast day is March 3.
Her Legacy
Open Hands and Loving Heart
Throughout her lifetime, Saint Katharine Drexel founded over 60 schools and missions for Native American and African American communities across the United States. Her legacy lives on through the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the congregation she founded in 1891, who continue to share the Gospel message with the poor and challenge deeply rooted injustice in the world today.
Her message is as relevant today as it was in her own lifetime. Saint Katharine believed that the Church’s call to welcome, to serve, and to advocate for those on the margins was not optional — it was essential to what it means to follow Christ.
Today, Saint Katharine’s tomb is enshrined at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, where the faithful continue to venerate her and seek her intercession.
Why She Is Our Patron
Her Spirit Shapes Everything We Do
Saint Katharine Drexel gave her life and her fortune in service of those on the margins. Her spirit of open hands and loving heart is woven into the identity of our parish — in the way we welcome, the way we serve, and the way we give.
“She was a person who formed loving disciples and gave selflessly in the realization of the Kingdom of God — and that is exactly who we aspire to be.”
A Prayer to Our Patron
Saint Katharine Drexel Prayer
Everloving God, You called Saint Katharine Drexel to teach the message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the Black and Native American Peoples.
By her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and oppressed.
Draw us all into the Eucharistic community of your Church, that we may be one in you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.
Amen.
As parishioners, we are encouraged to recite this prayer daily and, whenever possible, to support the ongoing works of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
Annual Scholarship
The Drexel Essay Contest
Each fall, Saint Katharine Drexel Parish honors the legacy of our patron saint through an annual essay contest open to high school and college students who are members of our parish.
Two scholarships are awarded on the basis of a submitted essay:
- College Scholarship — $1,000
- High School Scholarship — $500
Applications, essay instructions, and deadlines are announced each fall and available through the parish office. Watch the bulletin and our website for details when the contest opens.
For questions, contact our Business Manager:
Hannah McNally — 301-360-9581
Get In Touch
We’re Here to Help
For questions about Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, our patron saint, or any aspect of parish life, our office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
