Posted August 9, 2019

The “translation” (or relocation) of the remains of Philadelphia’s beloved St. Katharine Drexel marked its first anniversary in a new shrine at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, reflecting an age-old Catholic tradition.

On Aug. 2, more than 130 gathered to honor the move with a memorial Mass celebrated by Father Dennis Gill, director of the Archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship and rector of the Cathedral.

(Read our feature article on the St. Katharine Drexel translation anniversary Mass.)

In his homily, Father Gill said that St. Katharine Drexel — who gave up her family fortune to serve the marginalized African-American and Native American populations — remained a “prophetic witness” to the Gospel.

(All photos by Sarah Webb.)

  • A youth prays at the shrine of St. Katharine Drexel in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul after an Aug. 2 Mass celebrating the shrine’s first year in its new location.

  • Sister of the Blessed Sacrament Donna Breslin and Jane Nesmith pray during an Aug. 2 Mass honoring the translation of the remains of St. Katharine Drexel, founder of their congregation.

  • The Maier family of Hillsdale, Michigan attend an Aug. 2 Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, which celebrated the translation of the relics of St. Katharine Drexel.

  • Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Donna Breslin and Jane Nesmith offer those around them a sign of peace at an Aug. 2 Mass honoring St. Katharine Drexel, their congregation’s founder.

  • Father Dennis Gill, director of the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship and rector of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, distributes holy Communion at an Aug. 2 Mass honoring the translation, or relocation, of St. Katharine Drexel’s remains to a shrine in the Cathedral.

  • Attendees at an Aug. 2 Mass at the Cathedral pray before the sacred remains of St. Katharine Drexel.