Indigenous Ministry

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.  She was born in 1656 into the Mohawk nation of the Iroquois Confederacy (the area would become New York State).  Her mother, Kahenta was a Christian from the Algonquin nation (near present day Trois Rivières).  She was captured by the Tortoise Clan of the Mohawk nation and expected to live as a slave.  But the chief chose to marry her.  This gave her a secure position and an honored place in society.  Despite this status, she knew that speaking about her Christian beliefs would be dangerous.  Kahenta lived her Christianity in her heart.  When her little daughter became old enough for stories Kahenta secretly passed on her beliefs to Kateri. 

Kateri’s parents and brother died during an outbreak of smallpox.  Four year old Kateri also contracted the disease.  She survived the illness but her skin was scarred and her eyesight was weakened.   She was commonly seen wearing a blanket to hide her face and shade her eyes from the bright sunlight.

Kateri was raised by her aunt and uncle.  A skilled worker, diligent and patient she contributed to the seasonal occupations of daily life.  However, when her family tried to force her into marriage, she refused.  They punished her by giving her more and harder work to do, but Kateri did not give in.

At age 20, April 5, 1676, Kateri Tekakwitha was baptized.  She took a vow of chastity and pledged her life to Jesus Christ.  Her decision was very unpopular with her adoptive parents and their neighbors.  Everyone treated her harshly.  To avoid persecution, she traveled to a Christian native community south of present day Montreal.

Here she continued to live a devout life.  Just five years after her conversion to Catholicism, she became ill and passed away on Holy Wednesday, April 17, 1680 at age 24.  Her final words were “Jesus, I love you.”  Minutes later the scars that had marked her face for most of her life were gone.  Her face became beautiful and shone with great light. 

Soon after her death favors and miracles began to be reported. 

Kateri Tekakwitha is affectionately called “Lily of the Mohawks.” 

This name tells of her life, her tenderness and her reflection of God’s love. 

In 1943 Pope Pius XII declared Kateri Tekakwitha “Venerable”.

On June 22, 1980, Pope John Paul II declared her “Blessed”.

On October 12, 2012 she was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native North American Saint. 

She is the patroness of ecology and the environment, people in exile and Native Americans.   

St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the secondary patron saint for the Diocese of St. Paul, AB.                                     

We celebrate her Feast Day annually.