Katharine Drexel
1858-1955 20th century Feast day: March 3
Wealth and time poured out without return, for the sake of the despised.
Who was Katharine Drexel?
Heiress to a great Philadelphia fortune, she chose religious life and gave her money and her years to the education of African Americans and Native Americans, in an age when segregation was the rule. She founded schools across the country and, in Louisiana, the first Catholic university open to Black students. She lived simply on a fortune she gave away without counting.
In their own words
The patient and humble endurance of the cross, whatever nature it may be, is the highest work we have to do.
If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor, we must manifest it not by feelings only but by deeds.