Saint David of Wales Saint Katharine Drexel Born in the sixth century, Saint Davidwasaholybishopknown for his simple life. He founded many monasteries and churches, and legend says that his preaching was so inspiring that even the hills rose higher as he spoke. On his feast day in Wales, people wear leeks, a symbol of Welsh identity. But whywear a vegetable? Katharine Drexel was born into a wealthy American family in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1858. Her parents were devout Catholics, who set an example of Christian generosity and care for the poor. When her father died, Katharine inherited a large fortune, and she was determined to use her wealth to serve those in need. Katharine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to teach Black and Native American children in the western and southern parts of the United States. Within her lifetime, the order foundedand Well, Saint David told the Welsh soldiers to wear leeks in their hats or helmets to identify themselves during a battle against the Saxons in a leek field. staffedmore than sixty schools and fifty missions. Katharine oversaw the translation and printing of catechisms in the Navajo language. She also founded New Orleans’ Xavier University in 1915, the first Catholic college in the United States for Black students. Katharine used her wealth and influence to fight injustice, and to helpvictims of racial inequal ity. She died in 1955 and was canonized less than fifty years later, in 2000, by Pope Saint John Paul II. March 1 March 3 Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, and it is oneof thenames for thedaybefore the start of Lent on AshWednesday. In many countries, particularly in Europe and South America, it is the culmination of Carnival, the seasonof festivities fromEpiphany to Ash Wednesday whose name comes from the Lat in carne levare—“to take away meat.” Meat is eaten heartily because of the coming austerity of the Lenten season. Around the world, pancakes, pastries, and other rich foods are also traditionally eaten, especially on Fat Tuesday, because for many centuries, eggs and butter were also not allowed during Lent. In the United States, southern Lou i s i ana , e spe c i a l l y New Orleans, has themost well-known Mardi Gras festivities, marked by parades, costumes, parties, and special foods such as king cakes, named after the Three Kings, or Magi. Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things. — saint david of wales 25 24
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