Philadelphia celebrated the 25th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Catherine Drexel with solemn Mass

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia (United States) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the canonization of Catherine Drexel, founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, during a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, where the saint’s remains rest.

“It is a great joy for me to celebrate this Mass in honor of our Saint Catherine Drexel,” said Archbishop Nelson Pérez at the beginning of his homily, and then gave a warm welcome to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and their Superior, Sister Stephanie Henry.

Archbishop Pérez focused his reflection on the parable of the mustard seed, emphasizing that “We must not underestimate the power of small beginnings when they are filled with the grace and the Spirit of God.”

“God planted a mustard seed in the heart of Catherine Drexeland that seed blossomed into a life of faith, charity and service to those most in need,” said the prelate.

He recalled how the saint, born into a family of great fortune, learned from a young age that wealth should be put at the service of others.

“They were people of great position, but they did not allow their wealth to get in the way of their relationship with the Lord. Their father was a man of deep prayer and their stepmother welcomed the poor into her home several times a week. In that fertile soil the seed of the Kingdom was planted,” he reflected.

The archbishop also highlighted that Catherine Drexel’s vision, inspired by God, is still alive today: “She wrote her vision in her heart, and that vision unfolded over time. It did not disappoint her. In her religious life, when founding her congregation and serve African Americans and Native Americansthat little seed became a leafy tree that continues to bear fruit.”

At another time, Bishop Pérez recalled that the Congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament remains alive in the mission of combating all forms of racism and promoting human dignity: “You are not the sacrament —Jesus is the sacrament—, but you are a living sign of that sacrament,” he told the nuns present.

The prelate concluded his homily with an invitation to hope:

“The Kingdom of God has small beginnings. The Church itself began that way. Do not underestimate faith the size of a mustard seed, nor faith in the One who truly moves mountains. God has already written his vision for you and me; it just needs to unfold.”

“A very special friend” of the cathedral

Before the Mass, Father Gerald Dennis Gill, rector of the Cathedral Basilica, welcomed the faithful and recalled that since the transfer of the remains of Saint Catherine Drexel in 2018, the cathedral has become its official sanctuary, attended by pilgrims from all over the country.

“This is an occasion of great thanksgiving for the life and legacy of Mother Catherine Drexel. She has become a very special friend to our cathedral community,” the priest said.

Father Gill also highlighted the blessing of having the remains of two saints in Philadelphia: Saint John Nepomuk Neumann and Saint Catherine Drexel. “They help us to be saints and make holiness accessible,” he stated, inviting the faithful to visit the saint’s tomb, located in the right side aisle of the temple.

Life of Saint Catherine Drexel

Saint Catherine Drexel (1858–1955) was born in Philadelphia to a deeply Catholic and wealthy family. His father, Francis Anthony Drexel, was a successful banker; Her stepmother, Emma Bouvier Drexel, instilled in her daughters an intense life of prayer and charity toward the poor.

At the age of 29, after an audience with Pope Leo XIII, who personally asked her to become a missionary, Catherine decided to consecrate her life to God. In 1891 she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, taking a fourth vow—in addition to poverty, chastity, and obedience—: that of serving African Americans and Native Americans.

Using his personal fortune, he established more than 30 missions and schools in 17 states, including Xavier University of Louisiana, the first Catholic university for African Americans in the United States.

His spiritual motto, “Everything is vanity, except knowing, loving and serving God,” marked his life of prayer and dedication. He died in 1955 at the age of 96. She was beatified in 1988 and canonized on October 1, 2000 by Saint John Paul II, becoming the second saint born in the United States.

A legacy that continues to bear fruit

Today, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament continue their educational and evangelizing mission, with the Eucharist as the center of their spirituality. Their charisma drives them to “oppose all forms of racism and oppression,” living with joy, gratitude and service among those most in need.

Worshipers can visit the tomb of St. Catherine Drexel at the Cathedral Basilica of Philadelphia, where they are encouraged to leave intentions and prayers asking for her intercession. “Saint Catherine Drexel continues to move mountains—not ours, but God’s—reminding us that holiness begins with a small seed of faith,” Archbishop Pérez concluded.