03/03/2026
We’re not kidding about the tax code! St. Katharine Drexel’s income taxes increased significantly after World War I (when the graduated income tax was instituted), even though she gave 90% of her income to support her religious community and the Black and Indigenous communities she served. As her tax bills increased, it jeopardized the philanthropic work she was doing, so she and her family lobbied Congress. And that’s why there now exists the famous “Philadelphia Nun Provision”, which exempts anyone from income tax who has given away 90% of their income over the past 10 years.
Though the Philadelphia Nun Provision is no longer in the code, she might be a good saint to ask for her intercession as we prepare our taxes this tax season! St. Katharine Drexel, pray for us!