The Radiant Call to  Holiness: Exploring the Lives of St. Katharine Drexel and St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Today, we explore the rich and detailed lives of two remarkable women, St. Katharine Drexel and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, examining how they embody grace, vocation, and the transformative power of love, particularly through St. Thérèse’s unique “Little Way.”

St. Katharine Drexel: From Privilege to Profound Purpose

Katharine Drexel's life story begins in the opulent world of 19th-century Philadelphia. Born in 1858 to Francis Anthony Drexel, a prominent international banker, Katharine enjoyed a life of privilege and refinement.  She received a first-class education, studying languages, literature, philosophy, music, and painting.  Her family lived in a sumptuous mansion and spent summers at a beautiful country estate.  Yet, this privileged upbringing was also grounded in a strong Catholic faith. Her father and stepmother (her mother having died shortly after her birth) were devout, maintaining a private chapel in their home and regularly opening their doors to the poor and needy.  They instilled in their children the understanding that their wealth was a sacred trust, to be used for the benefit of others.

A pivotal figure in Katharine’s early spiritual development was Father James O'Connor, whom she met at the family’s summer home.  Under his guidance, even as a teenager, Katharine developed a personal programme for growth in holiness, demonstrating a deep spiritual seriousness from a young age.  Despite her social debut into Philadelphia high society at age 20, Katharine found herself unfulfilled.  Soon after, the deaths of her father and stepmother within months of each other, and the subsequent inheritance of a substantial fortune (equivalent to hundreds of millions today), left her feeling adrift and uncertain about her future.

Two key figures, Bishop Martin Marty and Father Joseph Stephan, involved in the Catholic Indian Mission, entered Katharine’s life at this critical juncture.  Their passionate descriptions of their work among Native Americans inspired her to contribute significantly to their efforts.  She even journeyed west with them, witnessing firsthand the impact of her generosity.  This experience, however, coincided with a period of personal turmoil.  Katharine struggled with her health, experiencing anxiety and indecision.  Seeking clarity, she travelled to Europe, visiting various spas and resorts.  This journey culminated in a life-altering encounter.

During an audience with Pope Leo XIII, still grieving her parents and searching for her path, Katharine spoke of her passion for the Indian missions.  The Pope’s unexpected response, "You should be that missionary," resonated deeply within her.  She felt, as she described, “sick all over,” overwhelmed by the implications of this call.  Yet, this encounter served to crystallise her desires, prompting her to consider a religious vocation, perhaps even founding an order dedicated to serving the most neglected members of society.

Despite initial reservations from her spiritual director, who questioned whether this pampered aristocrat could embrace the rigours of religious life, Katharine eventually entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Mercy in Pittsburgh in 1889.  Two years later, she made her final vows as the first member of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Coloured People.  Her substantial inheritance became the lifeblood of her mission, funding schools, missions, and, most notably, Xavier University in New Orleans, a groundbreaking institution providing higher education for African American youth.

Katharine’s life embodies the transformative power of grace. Her wealth, a potential source of personal indulgence, became a conduit for God’s love and justice.  She travelled extensively, visiting her sisters across the country, often under challenging travel conditions.  A heart attack in 1935 forced her to curtail her active ministry, but she entered a new, equally fruitful phase of her life.  For the next 20 years, she dedicated herself to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, interceding for the success of her order.

Katharine Drexel died in 1955, leaving behind a legacy of service and a testament to the power of a life fully surrendered to God's will.  Her sanctity represents "justice elevated, transfigured, rendered luminescent by grace."

St. Thérèse of Lisieux: The Little Way of Love and Humility

In contrast to Katharine’s outward activism, Thérèse of Lisieux lived a life of quiet contemplation within the walls of a Carmelite convent.  Born in 1873 in France, Thérèse's childhood, though initially happy, was deeply affected by the death of her mother when Thérèse was only four.  This loss made her, in her own words, “sensitive to an excessive degree.”

Despite this sensitivity, Thérèse felt a strong pull towards religious life from an early age, a vocation she never wavered from.  She eventually entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux, following her sister Pauline.  Within the confines of this cloistered world, she developed her profound spiritual doctrine, the “Little Way.”

Thérèse’s “Little Way” is a message of hope and accessibility.  Recognising that she wasn't a "spiritual athlete" like the great Carmelite mystics Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, she embraced her littleness, seeing herself as a "little flower" in God's garden, equally cherished and nourished by His grace.  This humility is the cornerstone of her teaching.  The Little Way emphasises spiritual childhood, acknowledging our complete dependence on God, and performing even the smallest, most ordinary actions with extraordinary love.  It's about raising our arms to God, trusting that He will lift us up.  As she famously said, “I can’t climb the mountain, but I can raise my arms up like this, and of course, he’s going to want to pick me up.”

Her spiritual autobiography, Story of a Soul, reveals her deep understanding of love as the heart of all virtues.  She yearned to be a priest, martyr, missionary, evangelist, and doctor, but realised that love was the animating principle behind all these vocations.  “Jesus, my love,” she proclaimed, “I have found my vocation. I will be love in the heart of the Church.”

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Thérèse’s story is her struggle with doubt in the final years of her life.  She experienced a profound crisis of faith, questioning the very existence of heaven.  This trial, which persisted until her death, reveals her deep empathy for those who struggle with belief. She embraced this suffering, seeing it as a way to connect with the unbelief prevalent in her time.  Her holiness, therefore, can be characterised as "transfigured prudence," a moral wisdom refined and intensified by the fire of Christ’s love.

A Legacy for Our Time

St. Katharine Drexel and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, though their lives followed vastly different paths, offer us complementary lessons for our own spiritual journeys. Katharine demonstrates how grace can transform our gifts and resources into instruments of service and justice, particularly for the marginalised. Thérèse teaches us the transformative power of humility, simplicity, and love in the everyday, reminding us that sanctity is within reach for each of us. As we prepare to fully embrace the Catholic faith, let us draw inspiration from their examples, striving for sainthood and embracing the unique path God has prepared for us.  Let us echo Evelyn Waugh’s insightful words: “All of us, when we get to heaven, if we get there, we’ll all be Saint So-and-so.”  Let us desire sainthood with all our hearts, recognising it as our ultimate calling and the purpose for which we were created.

Reflection Questions

St. Katharine Drexel:

1. St. Katharine Drexel used her considerable wealth to serve the marginalised and promote justice. Reflect on your own gifts and resources – not just material possessions, but also your talents, skills, and opportunities. How can you use these gifts, however big or small, to serve others and contribute to a more just world, in accordance with your Christian calling?  Are there particular areas of injustice or need that resonate with you, where you feel called to make a difference?
2. Katharine's journey was marked by a profound encounter with God's call, a call that led her to leave behind a life of comfort and embrace a challenging vocation.  Have you experienced a moment, or perhaps a gradual awakening, where you felt God calling you to something more?  What were the circumstances, and how did you respond?  Are there areas of your life where you feel God might be prompting you to step out in faith, even if it feels difficult or uncertain?

St. Thérèse of Lisieux:

1. St. Thérèse emphasized the "Little Way," finding holiness in simple, everyday acts of love.  Think about your daily life – your interactions with family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.  How can you infuse these ordinary moments with greater love, kindness, and compassion?  What small changes can you make to your attitude or actions that might have a big impact on those around you?
2. Thérèse experienced a profound crisis of faith, wrestling with doubts even about the existence of heaven.  Have you ever struggled with doubt or uncertainty in your faith journey? How did you navigate those times?  How might Thérèse's experience give you strength or perspective in your own moments of doubt, reminding you that even in darkness, God's love can be present?