Take a Pilgrimage to the Heart of a Saint
Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine
1663 Bristol Pike
Bensalem, PA 19020
Visit the Shrine
Reserve Your Pilgrimage Today!
Call 215-639-7878
Scheduled Pilgrimage hours: 10 AM and 1 PM
Pilgrimages are approximately 2 hours. Pilgrims should expect to do some
walking & must be able to climb stairs.
There is no fee, but donations are greatly
appreciated and go towards continuing the work of St. Katharine and her
missions.
Sites to See on Your S.B.S Journey
The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
Motherhouse in Bensalem, PA
The grounds of the Sisters of the Blessed
Sacrament lie on 54 acres of Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The picturesque
buildings, over 100-years-old, are of Spanish/French architectural style
and show European monastic influence.
Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine
Saint Katharine's life was devoted to the
Eucharist and to serving the poor and oppressed among Native and African
Americans. Pope John Paul II found this women of Philadelphia to be
worthy of emulation and beatified her on November 20, 1988. On October
1, 2000, the Holy Father canonized her as Saint Katharine Drexel.
Saint Elizabeth Chapel
More than a century old, the Motherhouse Chapel
is part of a series of buildings in the Old Spanish Mission style.
Unfortunately, the heavy Spanish tile came close to collapsing the walls
from lack of a strong foundation; stone buttresses solved the problem.
Saint Katharine was quick to use this analogously; "Just as this roof
almost collapsed so will our spiritual life unless our spiritual
foundations are well laid."
Everyone is invited to place a prayer intention
in the Apache Burden Basket located next to St. Katharine's crypt. The
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament pray daily for these intentions.
On display are treasures that St. Katharine used
during her life: a childhood desk, a wheelchair, her altar and much
more. Native American and African American artifacts enhance the
exhibit.
History of Saint Katharine Drexel
Katharine Drexel, a wealthy educated Philadelphia
socialite of the 19th century could have made of life what she chose.
That choice in the end came out of her strong Catholic faith and deep
compassion for the poor and oppressed among Native and African
Americans. On February 12, 1891, she made her first vows as a religious,
founding the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament dedicated to sharing the
message of the Gospel and the life of the Eucharist. Saint Katharine
established many ministries. She led a life devoted to uplifting the
minds and the spirits of Native and African American men, women and
children.
Since her death in 1955, Saint Katharine's
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament have joyously and faithfully continued
her work for Eucharistic social justice, despite no longer having her
financial resources. Saint Katharine's inherited wealth was disbursed
according to her father's will to various charities, not including the
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament; the congregation was founded after her
father's death.
For more information about Saint Katharine
Drexel, visit the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament web site:
www.katharinedrexel.org.
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