Saint Katharine Drexel
Born November 26, 1858, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Baptized December 29, 1858. She was born into a wealthy family, the second daughter of a banker in Philadelphia. Her parents instilled deep religious and moral principles in their daughters. Upon receiving a substantial inheritance from them, Saint Katharine Drexel decided to establish a religious community, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1891, to minister to black and indigenous peoples of the United States.
Photo from Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2026.
Professions of First Vows, February 12, 1891. Foundation Day of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She funded many institutions to that purpose, including several in Oklahoma. She also established schools to educate them, including Xavier University in New Orleans. Profession of Final Vows January 9, 1895. Death March 3, 1955. Beatified November 20, 1988 by Pope John Paul II. Canonized October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. Translation of her Sacred Remains to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul August 2, 2018. Her feast day is celebrated on March 3. (Kremer, 2026) Photo from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2026.