Hello and welcome to St. Stories for Kids, a weekly podcast full of fun

stories and facts about the holy men and women that have come before us. I'm your

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Today we'll be telling the story of St. Cathron Drexel, whose feast is celebrated on March 3rd.

St. Catherine Drexel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1858. Catherine's family was very wealthy, but she was taught from an early age to care for the less fortunate in the community.

When she was in her 20s, St Catherine took a trip with her family to the west, where she saw the terrible conditions that Native Americans were living under. Incredibly moved, Catherine decided it would be her life's work to help Native Americans and African Americans. St Catherine Drexel was so dedicated to

racial justice that she gave the incredible fortune she had inherited from her father

to further this cause. Catherine Drexel established 145 missions, 50 schools for African Americans, and 12

schools for Native Americans. St. Catherine Drexel was a brave woman that faced a lot

of opposition and hate but never backed down.

She lived to be 96 years old.

State Catherine Drexel is the patron saint of philanthropy and racial justice. Now it's time for our story.

What will we do, Mother? A very disheartened nun asks Mother Drexel.

The police here don't care. They're all part of the clan too. I'm afraid.

St. Catherine Drexel's heart hurt. The work was never easy. There were always

obstacles to overcome and there was usually always opposition but this was the worst they had encountered

the African Americans in southern Texas were being severely suppressed only given the lowest paying jobs, not allowed to use the town freely,

harassed, belittled, threatened.

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