Katharine Drexel, foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, is now a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II canonized Katharine Drexel during a ceremony in Saint Peter's Square in Rome this morning. Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, concelebrated the Mass which was attended by thousands, including more than 2000 pilgrims from the Philadelphia area.

Other scheduled concelebrants included:
Most ReverendFrancis Schulte, Archbishop of New Orleans
Most Reverend Martin Lohmuller, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Most Reverend Robert Maginnis, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Most Reverend Joseph Martino, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Most Reverend Donald Pelotte, Bishop of Gallup, New Mexico
Most Reverend Moses Anderson, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
Reverend Monsignor Alexander Palmieri, Vice-Postulator of the Mother Katharine Drexel Cause

Those scheduled to receive Holy Communion from the Pope included:
Sister Monica Loughlin, President of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
Mr. Robert Gutherman, Recipient of miracle after Katharine Drexel's intercession
Miss Amy Wall, Recipient of miracle after Katharine Drexel's intercession
Dr. Norman C. Francis, President, Xavier University (founded by Katharine Drexel)
Ms. Helena Begay, Native American, Farmington, New Mexico

Katharine Drexel was born into the wealthy Drexel banking family in Philadelphia in1858. She died in 1955. During her lifetime, Katharine used her fortune to help poor Native and African American people, founding nearly sixty-five schools and missions. Her order, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, continues her work today.

The Holy Father beatified Katharine Drexel on November 20, 1988, bestowing upon her the title of "Blessed," after decreeing that the restoration of Robert Gutherman's hearing, attributed to Katharine Drexel's intercession, was miraculous. On January 27, 2000, the Holy Father decreed that the healing of Amy Wall's hearing, also attributed to Mother Katharine's intercession, was a miracle as well. (Robert Gutherman and Amy Wall are from Bucks County, PA)

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Marie Kelly
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215-587-3747