Our Inspiration

Inspired by the love of Christ and the witness of Saint Katharine Drexel, we are called to become what we receive in Holy Communion: people transformed by God’s love and sent forth to share that love with others.

Like Saint Katharine, we draw strength from prayer, courage from faith, and purpose from the Gospel. Her life reminds us that holiness is not simply something we seek for ourselves, but a gift that sends us outward—to proclaim Christ, to educate and empower, to serve those in need, and to uphold the God-given dignity of every person.

May all who come to our Shrine encounter the living Christ, be inspired by Saint Katharine’s example, and leave renewed to bring faith, hope, and love into the world.

Our Mission

The Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel welcomes pilgrims, visitors, and all who seek the Lord to encounter Christ through prayer, the Eucharist, and the intercession of Saint Katharine Drexel. Inspired by her life of holiness, missionary zeal, and selfless service, the Shrine seeks to form disciples who recognize the dignity of every person, proclaim the Gospel with love, and respond generously to the needs of others—especially through pilgrimage, evangelization, prayer, and the pursuit of justice and peace.

Our Vision

We aim to be a vibrant center of pilgrimage, evangelization, prayer, and spiritual renewal where the life and witness of Saint Katharine Drexel inspire people to encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and carry His love into the world, continuing her mission of bringing the Gospel, hope, and opportunity to those who are most in need.

We envision the Shrine as a place where people from Philadelphia and beyond come to pray at the tomb of a beloved Philadelphia saint, discover her courageous witness, and be sent forth as missionary disciples committed to building a more just, compassionate, and faithful world.

Written in August 2026