In 2026, the
Church is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of St.
Francis of Assisi. His name immediately conjures up images of speaking to
animals, poverty and a brown habit. St. Katharine Drexel was, prior to entering
religious life in 1889, a Secular Franciscan.
In discerning
her vocation, Kate wrote to Bishop James O’Connor:
“I want a missionary order for Indians
and for Colored People. I know we have this order in Philadelphia in the same
order of Franciscans you have secured for Winnebago. … You know I admire the
spirit of the Franciscans of Philadelphia – I admire what I see of their
character on the outside – but I do not know what means are taken to produce
such heroines as that order produces.”
Kate as a
Secular Franciscan would have experienced some of the prayer life and charism of
the Franciscans.
This
connection with St. Francis and his spirit of poverty was so important to St.
Katharine that she obtained permission for the earliest Sisters to wear the
Franciscan cord. This cord has knots for the three vows of poverty, chastity
and obedience. With the wearing of the cord came special prayers and blessings
to be obtained by saying the prayers.
Whenever
Mother Katharine donned her habit with the Franciscan cord, she was reminded on
her vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and “To be the Mother and Servant of
the Indian and Negro races, according to the rule and constitutions of the
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People.”
St. Katharine
corresponded with many Franciscan missionaries, e.g., Fr. Anselm Weber, O.F.M.,
and frequently visited them on her visitations to SBS missions and schools
around the country. St. Michael Indian School opened on the site of a
Franciscan mission, St. Michael’s. In one way her relationship with the
Franciscans was as a sponsor or contributor to their work. But she was more than
just a financial partner, she prayed with and for them, as a spiritual partner
as well.
During the
month of October, the month of the Holy Rosary, perhaps we can remember
Franciscan priests, sisters and brothers in our rosaries. We can also continue
to pray for vocations. We can thank our Guardian Angels for watching over us
and walking with us along our path of life.
Stephanie
Morris, Ph.D., A.S.B.S.
