Gospel Reflection: Sainthood Is Never Out of Fashion

As we continue our tour through the Prayer Garden in our church, we reflect today and tomorrow on the life of St. Katharine Drexel)

I am old. I just look in the mirror and see a gray-haired stranger looking back at me. I don't feel old, but I do know it takes me longer to do some of the things that I could do in a snap.

There are defining moments when you share an event and the younger person looks at you in bewilderment. I remember sharing with some school children my very faint memories of watching the moon landing on TV, and a young man listened almost in hushed silence.

Well, one of those defining moments happened with Fr. Brian. I was asking him how he chose Katharine Drexel, as opposed to Mother Cabrini (another saint who encouraged and helped Katharine Drexel). He shared a memory. Young Brian Flanagan was a pupil in the 3rd Grade at St. Dorothy's in Philadelphia, and one day, the church bells began to chime and peal at an odd time. The children asked their teacher what was happening, and she replied, "Mother Drexel just died."

In other words, he connected even in a small way with her story. I connected with St. Bernadette of Lourdes because she had asthma, as I do. We then build on connections. It is no coincidence that for many years, Fr. Brian had Sr. Pat come from Haiti to support the mission because Sr. Pat is a Blessed Sacrament Sister (the Religious Order founded by Katharine Drexel).

He was drawn to her bravery in standing for social justice for Native Americans and African Americans in a time when they were treated cruelly as second-class citizens. It's no coincidence that I was drawn to hospital ministry after spending my childhood summers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

When we connect to the Saints, they draw us into a deeper communion and spiritual connection with God. Fr Brian has shared over the years his vocation story. Like mine, it had many twists and turns but every part of journey (even difficult days like the ones we are experiencing) has purpose and meaning.

Katherine Drexel's story is inspiring but her legacy was not the millions of dollars, she gave to the poor but that she inspired other good people like Sr. Pat and Fr. Brian to answer the call. Below, I share her story. Who knows it might inspire us to be a Drexel Dreamer too. Sainthood never goes out of fashion.

This Summer we will be doing a piece each week on our Saints in the Garden. We hope you enjoy!