From September 1st to October 4th (the feast of St. Francis of Assisi), the Franciscans celebrate the “Season of Creation.” Pope Francis has reminded us that the “earth is entrusted to our care, yet continues to belong to God.” (Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.”) As Saint Katharine and her sister Louise were both Third Order Franciscans, they would be united with the Franciscans in praying the for care of creation.
Saint
Katharine’s father, Francis A. Drexel, had a great love of nature and carefully
planned and planted the trees, flowers, and vegetables grown at their summer
home in Torresdale. Saint Katharine recalled that her father said that “the
trees were his picture gallery, in which he saw the beauty, love, and
forethought of the Divine Artist.”
Louise Drexel Morrell frequently sent
flowers and fruits grown on her estate to the Motherhouse for Saint Katharine
and the Sisters to enjoy.
When we look at a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or at a bright shining moon, do we think of the beauty of God’s creation? Do we thank God for this beauty?
Appropriate to the celebration of creation was the feast of the “Little Flower,” Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Her prayer was to love God and to make God loved. Saint Katharine would agree, praying that God was not loved enough!
October 1st was also the anniversary of the canonization of Saint Katharine. This is a day on which we should be grateful for her visions of social justice and the work of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to further this important goal.
October 2nd was the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels and Louise Drexel Morrell’s birthday. Let us thank God for our Guardian Angel on this day and always.
October 7th was the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Saint Katharine has called the Rosary a “symbol of love.” There is so much of Our Lord’s life, death, and resurrection and of Our Lady’s life, suffering, and Assumption in the mysteries of the Rosary. Let us take a little extra time to thank God for the love told in these mysteries.
