“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” – Matthew 6:21

On March 3rd, we celebrated the feast of St. Katharine Drexel, whose life stands as a profound testament to the power of faith-driven generosity. Born into the wealthy Drexel family of Philadelphia in 1858, she was raised with the understanding that material wealth was a resource to be used in service of God and those in need. This lesson, instilled by her parents, shaped the course of her life.

When her father, Francis Drexel, passed away in 1885, Katharine and her sisters inherited a substantial fortune. Rather than embracing a life of comfort, she devoted her inheritance—and her entire life—to uplifting Native and African American communities. She entered religious life, founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and dedicated her resources to building and endowing schools, churches, and missions across the country. Among her many accomplishments was the founding of Xavier University of Louisiana, the first and only historically Black Catholic institution of higher education in the United States.

St. Katharine’s story is a powerful example of how a bequest can transform lives. She saw her wealth as a gift from God, meant to serve a greater purpose. Her example calls each of us to consider how we might use what we have been given to support the causes that align with our faith and values.

While not all of us are called to take a vow of poverty as St. Katharine Drexel did, we are all called to be good stewards of the gifts God has placed in our care. A gift in your will or trust —no matter the size—ensures that the faith and ministries you cherish today continue to thrive for generations to come.

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia can help you create a giving plan that honors your faith and values, ensuring lasting support for the Catholic organizations you cherish. This May, we will once again highlight the power of planned giving through Create Your Catholic Legacy Awareness Month— a perfect time to reflect on how your generosity can make a lasting impact and strengthen the Church and its ministries well beyond your lifetime.

As we reflect on St. Katharine Drexel’s legacy, we are reminded that true wealth lies not in what we keep but in what we give. Her generosity continues to shape the Church today, and through intentional giving, we, too, can leave a legacy of faith, service, and love.

To learn more about how you can make a lasting impact, contact our philanthropic experts at 215-587-5650 or gowen@thecfgp.org.

Garrett Owen

Chief Philanthropy Officer

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia

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