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Homily, Catholic Foundation Mass My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Today the Church celebrates a feast in honor of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. She was the Queen of Hungary back in the thirteenth century. As a queen, she had great wealth and many resources. She spent much of her silver and gold to help the poor and the needy. When her husband died, Elizabeth left her castle and spent the rest of her life in prayer, helping the poor and even erecting a hospital where she herself served the sick. Because Saint Elizabeth lived in a foreign land some 800 years ago, the beautiful story of her life might seem rather distant. There is however another saintly woman whose similar life story may be more relevant. I’m referring to Saint Katharine Drexel. She was not a queen but she was a well-known and respected socialite. She was born and raised and lived her whole life in the United States. Instead of dealing with gold and silver as a queen, she dealt with dollars. She lived into the mid-20th century, reaching the age of 97 when she died in 1955. Much like Saint Elizabeth, Saint Katharine gave away all that she had. It is estimated that in the first half of the 20th century, she gave $40 million to help African-American and Native American people throughout the United States. Today that amount would probably equal $250 million. Here in Oklahoma, Saint Katharine Drexel opened many Indian schools, contributed to parishes and their schools and started churches and schools for African Americans throughout our state. She gave all that she had. It wasn’t just the money, it was the vision and courage she displayed. Her far-sighted planning resulted in much good decades later and continues even today. For example, as a great believer in education, she founded and funded Xavier University in New Orleans, probably the first real college for African Americans. The graduates of Xavier became the leaders in the civil rights struggles of the 60’s and 70’s. Many of those graduates became professional and trades people upon the demise of segregation, thanks to the vision and courage and faith and love of Saint Katharine Drexel. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Saint Katharine Drexel were not canonized because they had much money. Nor were they canonized because they gave it all away. Both Queen Elizabeth of Hungary and socialite Catherine Drexel of Philadelphia were canonized because their lives revealed the great love they had for God. This love of God was evident in their efforts to help people in need. They heard the great commandment and they followed it. “The first and greatest commandment is to love God with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole mind.” The second is just like it, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” “Upon these two commandments,” Jesus said, “rests the whole law and the prophets.” Like Saint Elizabeth and Saint Katharine, you and I are on a journey of life. We too have been reminded of the great commandment of love. To assist us on this journey, God, in His goodness sent His Son Jesus to save us. Jesus came and established the Church for our guidance. He instituted the sacraments for our spiritual growth and benefit. All that we have – faith, family, friends, fortune and life itself – are gifts from God, gifts for which we should be grateful! Gifts that we should use for the honor and glory of God and to assist our brothers and sisters. Tonight, I wish to thank you for your help and support of the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc. I want to assure you of my gratitude. I am grateful for the responsible way the Foundation operates. I can and do guarantee you that whatever funds are entrusted to the Foundation will be used for the purpose you designate and will benefit the mission and ministry and apostolates of our Catholic faith. Thank you very much and may Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Saint Katharine Drexel inspire us to follow the two great commandments Jesus gave us: “Love God first and foremost and your neighbor as yourself.” Most
Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran |