HARRIET TUBMAN AWARDEE: SR. LYNN MARIE RALPH, SBS

Sister Lynn Marie Ralph, SBS, is a member of the religious congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, founded by Saint Katharine Drexel. She has been a religious sister for 43 years. As an educator, Sister received her BA in English Literature from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. She received a Master's Degree in Catholic School Leadership from Seton Hall University as well as a Certificate of Participation in “Pastoring in the African American Community” from the Institute of Black Catholic Studies, Xavier University of Louisiana.

Sister Lynn Marie is a long-time member of the National Black Sisters Conference. An organization that supports the dignity and rights of women of color.

Sister Lynn Marie has ministered as a teacher and principal in Philadelphia, Harlem, Birmingham, Memphis, New Orleans, New Iberia, and Newark, NJ. Currently, Sister serves as the Pastoral Care Coordinator at Holy Redeemer Food Pantry in Meadowbrook, PA. She also oversees the Pastoral Care Department, which includes clergy of various denominations. She also works at the Holy Redeemer Food Pantry, which serves more than one thousand families per month.

Sister Lynn Marie has served as a retreat director in various churches and schools. Sister had the opportunity to serve as retreat director during a weekend for the Pierre Toussaint Scholars of the Archdiocese of New York Office for Black Catholics.

Sister Lynn Marie served as the Director of Religious Education at St. Martin de Porres Church in Philadelphia for 11 years. She had the opportunity to minister in the Office of Black Catholics for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Her philanthropic activities included serving as an editor on the Board of Trustees for the Tonya Dorsey and New Vision nonprofit foundation, which awarded scholarships to young African American music students.

In 2023, Sister Lynn Marie wrote the script for the Sacred Six on the road toward sainthood. It was performed by students from Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Academy in Washington, DC - SE at the National Black Catholic Congress XIII National Harbor, MD. This received rave reviews and national media coverage. She also served as the MC for the Gospel Concert along with her twin sister, which showcased the many talents of our youth.

Sister Lynn Marie is featured in the documentary, “The Total Gift,” the life of Saint Katharine Drexel. This documentary, filmed by Joyful Films, received an Emmy Award in 2025. She also shared with the Alumni of Xavier University the life of Saint Katharine Drexel entitled, “The Heart of Saint Katharine Drexel”. She has also written a reflection for a video presentation about Saint Katharine Drexel, which is featured on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia website.

Sister Lynn Marie was invited to give a reflection for the “Catholic Women Preach” website. March 30th (fourth Sunday of Lent – 2025): The Prodigal Son. The title was “The Prodigal Daughter from the perspective of a woman. This was based on the parable The Prodigal Son.

Sister Lynn Marie believes that it is important to Name, Claim, and Proclaim your journey of life. This means Naming the title of your written ongoing book of life, Claiming your story of who you are as called by God. Thus, having the opportunity to be a Proclaimer by giving witness to what God continues to do for you on your faith journey.