Monday, March 3, 2014

Homily: March 3 - St. Katherine Drexel



Mother Katherine Drexel was born into wealth in Philadelphia. Her father was a very successful international banker, and she was an heiress to a large fortune. Yet, she was involved in many of her family’s philanthropic and charitable works.

Around the age of 30, aware of the plight of the poor and the marginalized, and she was touring Europe, when she met Pope Leo XIII, and she asked him to send more missionaries to Wyoming for her friend Bishop James O’Connor.  The pope replied, “Why don’t you become a missionary?”

This shocked her into considering new possibilities.  She could have easily dismissed the Pope’s suggestion and left the work to someone else.  She could have married, and used some of her wealth for this good and holy work.  But, she felt God calling her to something more.  And she answered that call.  She made the decision to give herself to God, along with her inheritance, through service to American Indians and Afro-Americans

Newspaper headlines read: “Heiress gives up Seven Million”, lot of money in 1889. 

Listen to what Pope John Paul II said at his homily when he canonized Katherine in the year 2000: From her parents, she learned that her family’s possessions were not for them alone, but were to be shared with the less fortunate.  As a young women she was deeply distressed by the poverty and hopeless conditions endured by many native americans and African americans.  She began to devote her fortune to missionary and educational work amongst the poorest members of society.  Later, she came to understand that more was needed. 

As we prepare for the upcoming season of Lent we are called to consider “what attitudes or habits or even personal possession might we be called to give up in order to serve the Gospel to a greater degree?  Where is God calling you?  If you are aware of a pressing need in your family or in this community, you may be the 
one that is being called to work for that need. 

“With great courage and confidence in God’s grace, St. Katherine Drexel chose to give, not just her fortune, but her whole life, totally to the Lord.  St. Katherine Drexel is an excellent example of that practical charity and generous solidarity with the less fortunate which has long been the distinguishing mark of American catholics.  May her example, help young people in particular, to appreciate that no greater treasure can be found in this world than in following Christ with a divided heart and in using generously the gifts we have received for the service of others and the building of a more just and fraternal world (JPII)” for the glory of God and salvation of souls.


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