Katharine Drexel: Riches to Rags

A Promising Heritage

Born into one of the wealthiest families in Philadelphia, Katharine Drexel had it all. It seemed to her her entire life was planned, even before her birth. Shortly before her 18th birthday, she would have a ‘coming-out’ party, where she would be presented to Philadelphia society. However, her heart yearned for another life. Although her parents lived by the rules of polite society, they were devout Catholics, and showed her that life wasn’t just about fancy parties and food. She found a particular example in her mother, who used her great wealth to provide charity to the poor. Katharine was also blessed by the influence of a very holy spiritual director, Bishop O’Connor. With his correspondence, Katharine grew in faith, but was totally unprepared for the tragedies which lay ahead for her. 

Family Sufferings

Her life changed forever when her mother was overtaken by an illness. The Drexels provided the best doctors that money could buy; but she soon passed away. Katharine’s father Francis was overcome by grief. He spent hours at home, playing melancholy organ dirges. He finally resolved that in order to escape from their suffering, the family would take a trip to Europe. While her sisters enjoyed their sight-seeing, especially in Paris, Katharine’s greatest joy came in the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice. There, at Bishop O’Connor’s suggestion, she made a vow of virginity. She also found a prayer card of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which she took as a reply and a command - on the back, it read, “freely you have received; freely give.” 

Tragedy soon struck the Drexel sisters again, when Francis was also struck down by illness. In response, Katharine realized that her desires and life pointed in one direction: to enter a convent. She was also torn, however; her reading led her to consider the plight of the poor, especially of the American Indians. Bishop O’Connor raised further doubts as to whether she was called to the contemplative life or a life of charitable works as a missionary. At his suggestion, Katharine visited the Pine Ridge reservation and met with Red Cloud, leader of the Lakota. After this meeting, Bishop O’Connor suggested an innovative solution: instead of choosing between entering a convent, where her wealth might be controlled by someone else, or rejecting her call to religious life, Katharine could do the most good by founding her own order. 

Persevering Through It All

However, shortly after forming this plan with Drexel, Bishop O’Connor also passed away. Now living in a convent in order to prepare to found her order, Drexel was distraught - how could she go forward without Bishop O’Connor’s support? Her help came in the form of Archbishop Ryan, who had succeeded O’Connor as Archbishop of Philadelphia. Ryan promised to assist Katharine in just the same way that Bishop O’Connor had, and ensure her opportunity and good desires would not be wasted. With his help, Drexel persevered; after her sisters both passed away childless, the entire Drexel fortune was passed on to Katharine, who ensured that none of it would go to waste.

This week on The Saints: Adventures of Faith and Courage, hear the inspiring story of how a life of wealth and privilege was turned to the service of God. Hear Katharine’s upbringing in the upper crust of Philadelphia and the joys of her family life. Listen to her struggles in losing her parents, and her courageous choice to use her inheritance for the poor. Discover her exciting adventures from Philadelphia, to Paris, to the Pine Ridge Reservation. Listen to it all on thesaintspodcast.com!

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