Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the Archdiocesan celebration commemorating the canonization of Saint Katharine Drexel of Philadelphia will be held on

Sunday, December 3, 2000
Mass of Thanksgiving - 2:00 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia

Cardinal Bevilacqua will be the main celebrant and homilist. The choir will be a combined African American choir from the parishes of the Archdiocese. Robert Gutherman, recipient of Saint Katharine's first miracle, and Amy Wall, recipient of Saint Katharine's second miracle, will present the gifts during the Mass. Sister Monica Loughlin, president of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, will offer remarks at the conclusion of the Mass.

Saint Katharine Drexel, foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, was canonized in Rome by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000. Katharine Drexel was born into the wealthy Drexel banking family in Philadelphia in 1858. 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.

This special liturgy is the local celebration and is open to the general public. Due to space limitations, seating is available on a first come, first serve basis.


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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747