Katherine Mary Drexel born in Philadelphia

Katherine Mary Drexel was born this day  in Philadelphia to Hannah Drexel and her husband Francis Drexel, the wealthy international financier. Her mother died within weeks of her birth and she was raised by her step-mother Emma Drexel in a family dedicated to active philanthropy amongst the poor of the city. She herself went on to a remarkable life of Catholic service, especially in the areas of Native American and African American education. She was canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul II. (By John Osborne)