Friend of the Church in Oklahoma
Let us profit of Holy Mass to address to God our ardent prayers to draw upon ourselves and upon the Indian and Black peoples the graces that will save them, uniting ourselves to the Adorable Victim in the Holy Sacrifice: “By Him, with Him, and in Him.” Let us offer to the Blessed Trinity the homage of praise, reparation, thanksgiving, and supplication due to the Infinite Majesty of God. (From an Instruction by Saint Katherine Mary Drexel)
Today is the feast of Saint Katherine Drexel (1858-1955), friend and benefactress of the Church in Oklahoma, and foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People.
Katherine Drexel, the daughter of a wealthy Philadelphia banker, used her vast inherited fortune to open schools and missions for the most disadvantaged minorities in the United States. Although drawn to the cloistered contemplative life and, in particular, to adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, she followed the counsel of Pope Leo XIII, and founded her own Congregation to staff the various charitable works that she was already financing.
It is especially fitting that, in their difficulties and needs, Oklahoma Catholics seek the intercession of Saint Katherine Drexel. Here is the novena prayer that I composed:
Lord Jesus Christ,
King over every place and in every time,
King of Love in whose merciful goodness
is all our trust,
we approach Thee in the company of
Saint Katharine Mary Drexel,
friend and benefactor of Thy Church
in Oklahoma,
and we beg Thee to grant us,
through her intercession,
a speedy and happy resolution
to the difficulties that beset us.
Show Thyself favourable to
her intercession and to our humble petitions,
Thou who art all powerful,
all-loving,
all-merciful,
and all-wise. Amen.
Saint Katharine Mary Drexel,
fervent adorer of the Blessed Sacrament,
R. Pray for us.
Saint Katharine Mary Drexel,
friend of the Church in Oklahoma,
R. Pray for us.
Saint Katharine Mary Drexel,
generous dispenser of funds,
R. Pray for us.
Saint Katharine Mary Drexel,
mother to Native Americans,
R. Pray for us.
