Posted November 20, 2018

The tomb of St. Katharine Drexel, the second American-born saint to be canonized, was formally installed at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Sunday, Nov. 18. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass, which drew hundreds of worshipers, including the two children (now adults) who were healed through the miraculous intercession of St. Katharine Drexel.

The saint’s remains had been translated to the Cathedral earlier this year from the Bensalem motherhouse of the religious community she had founded, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The tomb, funded by a grant from the Connelly Foundation, is located near the Drexel family altar inside the Cathedral’s main entrance.

Read full coverage of the Mass in the filled-to-capacity cathedral, here. (All photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput incenses the newly installed tomb of St. Katharine Drexel at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Nov. 18, 2018. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • Anna and Lydia Knutson attend the Nov. 18 Mass celebrating the installation of the tomb of St. Katharine Drexel at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

  • Marie Allen, Cassandara Pistorius, Sister Nathalee Bryant and Sister Joanne Bauer bring up the gifts at a Nov. 18 Mass for the installation of the tomb of St. Katharine Drexel.

  • Sisters of the Most Blessed Sacrament Sandra Schmidt and Donna Breslin pray during a Nov. 18 Mass celebrating the installation of the tomb of St. Katharine Drexel.

  • Blessed Sacrament Sisters Donna Breslin and Patricia Rogan receive holy Communion at a Nov. 18 Mass celebrating the installation of St. Katharine Drexel’s tomb.

  • Students from Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls pray at a Nov. 18 Mass celebrating the installation of St. Katharine Drexel’s tomb.

  • Faithful pray at the tomb of St. Katharine Drexel, which was formally installed at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Nov. 18, 2018. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • The new tomb of St. Katharine Drexel, courtesy of a gift by the Connelly foundation, graces the rear wall of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. (Sarah Webb)