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Commemorating the Canonization of Blessed Katherine Drexel and honoring the spirit and charity of Mother Drexel’s works and their lasting effects on the Citizens of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Blessed Katherine Drexel was born on November 26, 1858 to the family of a wealthy banker and philanthropist; and
WHEREAS, Beginning at the age of twelve, Katherine Drexel taught Sunday school at the family summer home in Torresdale and worked alongside her mother with the poor two days a week; and
WHEREAS, Upon the death of her mother Katherine Drexel felt the call to religious life;
WHEREAS, After her father’s death in 1885, Katherine Drexel and her sisters visited Indian Reservations, built schools on reservations, supplied food, clothing, furnishing and salaries for teachers; and
WHEREAS, On November 7, 1889, Katherine Drexel received the religious habit and the name Sister Mary Katherine; and
WHEREAS, In 1891, she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and in 1892 the order moved to Cornwell Heights, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Her missionary work began with the opening of a boarding school for African American students and continued with the opening of schools for Pueblo Indians and schools throughout the south and southwest United States and the founding of Xavier University in New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, Since her death in 1955, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament have continued upon her efforts for social justice; and
WHEREAS, The Cause for Canonization of Blessed Katherine Drexel was formally opened in 1964 by John Cardinal Krol and was continued by Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua; and
WHEREAS; On March 9, 2000 Pope John Paul II announced that he will canonize Blessed Katherine Drexel on October 1, 2000 in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we honor the occasion of the canonization of Blessed Mother Katherine Drexel and that we remember the lasting effects of her charitable works on our region and nation.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to , Mother Superior of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua leader of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body in commemorating the canonization of Blessed Katherine Drexel and her good works.
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