THE FEAST OF ST KATHARINE DREXEL, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS
FEAST OF ST KATHARINE Drexel, VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS.
You have one Teacher & Master: Jesus!
THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 1 - 12).
Tuesday, March 3rd in the 2nd Week of Lent is the feast of St Katharine Drexel.
(1858 - 1955), Virgin and Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
She was a generous philanthropist. Katharine was a wealthy heiress from the rich and famous family of the Philadelphia society.
She realized that it profits her nothing to gain the whole world and put her eternal destiny in jeopardy.
Drexel listened to the Call of Jesus Christ to teach the message of the Gospel and bring the Eucharist to African-American and Native American people in the South of the United States.
In 1915, Katharine founded the Xavier University in New Orleans.
At her death in 1955, over 500 of her sisters were teaching in 63 schools.
Saint Katharine Drexel was deeply devoted to the Eucharist and trusting in Divine Providence, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1889 and, in 1891, founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a congregation dedicated to evangelization, education, and the promotion of racial justice. Using her inheritance for the missions, she established numerous schools and mission centers across the United States, most notably Xavier University of Louisiana, the nation’s only Catholic historically Black university.
She died on March 3, 1955, and is honored on March 3 as patron saint of racial justice and of philanthropists, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000 as the second person born in the United States to be declared a saint.
In our key Scripture for today, Jesus upbraided the scribes and the Pharisees. Why?
They teach correct Doctrine but leave the practice of what they teach to their followers.
Who are the equivalent of the scribes and Pharisees today?
They are the Bishops and Abbots who received teaching authority directly from Christ.
They have helpers in priests, theologians and catechists.
Church Father and Doctor of the Church St John Chrysostom teaches that the Bishops and their assistants must be respected because they hold apostolic office no matter their failings.
We may think that a Bishop is in error with regard to one doctrine or the other. But who are we to criticize him when his Boss, Jesus says:
"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16).
All things success and failure work together for good to those who love God.
God makes everything beautiful in the fullness of time. Trust in the merciful, mighty and mysterious Plan of God.
We all will be judged on the Last Day by our love, obedience and humility.
Jesus concludes His teaching for today with these words:
"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 11 - 12).
The Church honors St Joseph in March.
Act of Consecration to St. Joseph
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
St Joseph pray for me and my son
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