A Testament to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament

October 6-January 5, 2025

Exploring the ground-breaking work of the women who made the “total gift of self” in service to Christ and their community as Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Lighting the Path celebrates the impact of such dedication, both spiritual and social, on the people and places that these brave women served. Founded in 1891 by Saint Katharine Drexel, this order served communities throughout the country, from the Southwest to the Northeast. Whether as educators at Xavier University of Louisiana, the first and only Catholic university founded to educate African Americans, or as members of their community fighting for civil rights, these sisters embodied the Xavier mission to create a more just and humane society, often in the face of considerable opposition. This story is told in rarely seen photographs, recordings, historic papers and artifacts, and artwork from the Xavier University of Louisiana Archives, Art and Special Collections, as well as the SBS Convent and Archdiocese of Philadelphia, each piece testifying to over a century of faithful service and commitment.

This exhibition is dedicated to the entire SBS community, with love and gratitude.

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Total Gift of Self

by Ron Bechet

Lighting The Path Artwork

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