Katharine Mary Drexel was born in Philadelphia on November 26, 1858 to a very wealthy family. Her father was an extremely successful banker. Her mother did not work and sadly died 5 weeks after giving birth to her.
Growing up she experienced luxury, she never attended public school because she had private tutors that would come to her home, she traveled frequently to Europe and around the United States, riding in private coaches on trains, and she never had to worry about money. Her father and stepmother were devout Catholics. Her father prayed for 30 minutes every evening and three times a week they opened their home up to the poor to give clothing, food and financial assistance to those in need.
She had a profound experience that changed her and her future. When she nursed her stepmother through a three-year terminal illness, she realized that her family’s money could not buy safety from pain or death.
This emotional experience inspired her to help the most vulnerable in America. She was moved as to how poorly Native Americans and African Americans were treated. She began a lifelong personal and financial support of numerous missions and missionaries to help Native Americans and African Americans.
When her father died in 1886, he left behind $15.5 million dollars to be divided between his three daughters. Today, that would be equivalent to $425 million.
In January 1887 Katharine was received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIII. She explained to him how poorly the Native Americans and African Americans were treated and how she wanted to help them. So, she requested that he send missionaries. To her surprise, the pope suggested that she become a missionary herself.
After much discernment, in May of 1889 she entered the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Pittsburgh. The local headlines of newspapers read, “Miss Drexel Enters A Catholic Convent – Gives Up Seven Million.” A few years later in 1891 she founded the religious congregations, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Her community devoted themselves as missionaries to the Native Americans and African Americans.
Her religious community opened a boarding school, St. Catherine’s Indian School, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Katharine bought 160 acres of land in Arizona and New Mexico. With the help from some Franciscans in Cincinnati, Ohio they served the Navajos.
A few years later she financed the work of the Franciscans among the Pueblo Native Americans in New Mexico. In 1910, she financed 500 copies of the Navajo-English Catechism of Christian Doctrine for the use of Navajo Children.
In all, Katharine established 145 missions, 50 schools for African Americans, and 12 schools for Native Americans. Among one of her biggest accomplishments was the founding of the first African American University, Xavier university of Louisiana.
Katharine was canonized a saint by St. Pope John Paul II on October 1, 200 as the second natural-born U.S. citizen saint.
The Vatican cited fourfold aspects of Katharine’s legacy:
- A love of the Eucharist and Perspective on the unity of all peoples
- Courage and initiative in addressing social inequality among minorities – one hundred years before such concern aroused public interest in the United States
- Her belief in quality education for all and efforts to achieve it
- Her selfless service, including the donation of her inheritance, for the victims of injustice
St. Katharine Mary Drexel is the patron saint of Philanthropy. The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida is proud to have her as our patron. We strive to emulate her work by serving those who are most in need in the nine counties that encompass the Diocese of Orlando.
Our Philanthropic Efforts
Below are images taken throughout the Diocese of Orlando
that highlight our philanthropic efforts.
![Seminarians Thomas Pringle and Adam Marchese arrive early to St. Joan of Arc Church in Boca Raton to participate in Mass of Ordination with main celebrant Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of Venice. The men were ordained to serve as transitional deacons as part of their final steps on their journeys to the priesthood photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Vocations-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![UCF Campus Ministry group image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/UCF-Campus-Ministry-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![School Kids Praying image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/school-kids-praying-150x150.jpg)
![School Kids image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/School-kids-4-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![School Kids image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/School-kids-3-150x150.jpg)
![Catholic Campus Ministry image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ccm5-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![church image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Church-Compressed-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Mobile Food Bank photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Mobile-Food-Bank-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Planned Giving image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/planned-giving-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![School Kids image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/School-Children-2-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Catholic Campus Ministry image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ccm-2-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Catholic Schools Week 2017 image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Catholic-Schools-Week-2017-DSC_0224-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Johnny, a kindergarten student at St. James Cathedral School, received ashes at the school’s Ash Wednesday Mass on March 1 photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Ash-Wednesday-20170310_orl_AshWednesday-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop John Noonan high fives students at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando before Mass during Catholic Schools Week photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190208_orl_Catholic-Schools-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop and kids image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/bishopandkids-150x150.jpg)
![Stop The Hate 2 image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Stop-the-Hate2-150x150.jpg)
![St Vianney children group image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/St-Vianney-10-03-18-258-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![St Vianney children group image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/St-Vianney-10-03-18-245-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![St Anthony Hispanic Heritage Chris Bulilan image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/St-Anthony-Hispanic-Heritage-Chris-Bulilan-90-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Veterans day image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SM190527-1018-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Priest baptizing a young man image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SM190420-1063-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Jesus Christ on the cross statue](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SM090228-1042-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Jesus Christ on the cross statue](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SM090228-1011-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Group of people forming a Rosary image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Rosary-1-150x150.jpg)
![Palm Sunday St James Cathedral image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/palm-sunday-st-james-cathedral-150x150.jpg)
![Our Lady Of Guadalupe image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Our-Lady-of-Guadalupe-2018101-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Our Lady Of Guadalupe image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Our-Lady-of-Guadalupe-2018044-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Our Lady Of Guadalupe](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Our-Lady-of-Guadalupe-2018025-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![May Crowning image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/May-Crowning-12-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![ANDREA NAVARRO image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/LSP_9452-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![group of children photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9922-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![group of three young adult photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9963-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![group of three young adult females photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9972-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![group of children photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9974-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop John Noonan with group of children image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/LSP_5399-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![group of children photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9801-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Priest conducting a baptism](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9681-150x150.jpg)
![Priest conducting a baptism](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9665-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop John Noonan conducting mass image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9175-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Children participating in mass service photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9052-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Reenactment of Jesus birth](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_7754-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Catholic children choir singing at mass service](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_7625-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop Read Wonky Donky To The Class After Mass photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_6797-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Priest conducting a baptism](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_7537-2-150x150.jpg)
![child photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_6033-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Adults and child photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_6080-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Children photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_6187-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Adult and children photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_59361-150x150.jpg)
![doctor visit image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_3766-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop John Noonan](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4494-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop John Noonan](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4499-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Catholic school children image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_0041-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Catholic school children image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_3314-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![AN Steubenville photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AN-Steubenville-09762-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![AN Steubenville photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AN-Steubenville-4208-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![AN Steubenville photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AN-Steubenville-00092-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![AN Steubenville photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AN-Steubenville-00106-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![All Soul Cemetery image](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/All-Soul-Cemetery-02215-Done-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Group of adults photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/73364262_2974022755945548_1446402693026283520_o-150x150.jpg)
![child photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/74156067_2465655436821932_5800159247970861056_o-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![child photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/73221958_2786583858040870_1263520056394907648_n-150x150.jpg)
![group of children photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/71572421_2100920183342114_4294268337317216256_o-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![group of children photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/72048093_139084144028597_683718455190355968_o-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Group of adults photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/72694568_2974023292612161_4056780238103773184_o-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![St. Brendan Catholic School students in Ormond Beach form a living rosary photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20191025_orl_Rosary-2-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Seminarians bear the canopy as the Corpus Christi procession begins on the steps of St. James Cathedral photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190712_orl_Corpus-Christi-2-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop Noonan invokes the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the laying of hands on Aldo, during Confirmation photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190607_orl_ATD-Morning-Star-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Father Karl Bergin, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Melbourne, blesses the six 500-gallon reservoir tanks after walking the 3.5 miles from Mi Manantial, the spring from which water is now flowing to La Cueva photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190607_orl_Missions-3-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Representatives from two African countries, Poland, Colombia, Mexico and the Philippines stand with Deacon German Romero, before the entrance procession for Mass photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190621_orl_Pentecost-2-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![The community of La Cucarita gathers at the aqueduct to carry "los ramos", the branches with which they celebrate the Palms procession photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190524_orl_DR-2-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![The community of La Cucarita makes the Via Crucis, the Way of the Cross, on Good Friday, after the reading of the Passion and Adoration of the Cross, as is tradition in every chapel. photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190524_orl_DR-5-IMG_8312-2-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Prayer warriors from Resurrection and St. Joseph Parishes in Lakeland stand vigil in prayer in front of an abortion clinic on Ash Wednesday, the first day of 40 Days for Life photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190315_orl_40-days-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Group of adults photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190310_124012-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)
![Bishop Noonan celebrates Mass for Marriage Feb. 9 at St. James Cathedral photo](https://cfocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20190222_orl_Marriage-1-scaled-1-150x150.jpg)