St. Katharine Drexel was born in Philadelphia on November 26, 1858, and died not far away in Cornwell Heights, Pennsylvania, on March 3, 1955. 
We celebrated her feast day earlier this week. But Katharine did a lot of traveling—and ministry—beyond the Philadelphia region during her 96 years on earth.
Born into a wealthy, philanthropic family, Katharine began financing schools for Native Americans. When she was in her early 30s, she asked the pope to send some missionaries. He suggested she consider becoming one herself. Katharine took up the challenge, founding the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and working with Native Americans and African Americans in the South and Southwest.
Katharine Drexel said: “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. Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing.”
This saint’s example reminds us that while providing treasure to help others is a wonderful thing to do, we must also offer up ourselves. Consider how you can offer service this Lent beyond opening up your bank account.
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