Pope
Benedict XVI, in a solemn ceremony in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, elevated
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (pronounced ‘gaderi
dega’gwita) to the sainthood today. From now on, she will be known as Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Kateri is the Iroquois name for Catherine, given to her on her baptism in honour of St. Catherine of
Siena. She is also popularly known as the “Lily
of the Mohawks.”
Belonging to
the Mohawk First Nations (or aboriginal peoples) of North America, Kateri
Tekakwitha was born in 1656 at Ossernenon, known today as Auriesville in the
state of New York, USA.
Her
non-Christian father was a Mohawk chief and mother a Roman Catholic Algonquin
(a different group of aboriginals) from
Trois-Rivieres of present-day Quebec province in Canada. The Iroquois of the
present USA area, while revenge-attacking the Catholic village in Quebec
territory, captured her mother along with others and took them away. Her father,
although belonging to the attacking group, saved her from further ignominy of a
captive and married her.
In 1660, her
father, mother and a brother died in a small-pox epidemic in the area. Although
she survived the disease, she became extremely weak and partial-blind. The pox
infections also caused pockmarks in her face.
Her uncle,
who was also another chief, and two aunts, took care of Tekakwitha. To avoid
the cursed village, they moved five miles away to Caughnawaga (presently called
Fonda in New York state) on the bank of the Mohawk River.
Tekakwitha
lived a normal aboriginal life in the village playing with other children,
helping out in the corn and vegetables fields, doing domestic chores,
collecting firewood and nuts and roots, and drawing water from nearby stream
and river.
She was not
baptized yet; but whatever her mother used to tell her about Catholic faith and
stories in her childhood, had a positive influence on her.
In 1667,
three Jesuit missionaries – Father Jacques Fremin, Father Jacques Bruyas, and
Father Jean Pierron – visited her village. From them she heard something of the
Catholic faith.
In 1675, at
the age of 18, Tekakwitha came in contact with another Jesuit priest, Father Jean
de Lamberville, who arrived at her village and set up a chapel. Although her
uncle did not like the “Blackrobe” – a term used by the then aboriginals for any
Jesuit missionary who used to wear black cassock – and his alien religion, he tolerated
his presence among them. The new priest persuaded her uncle to let Tekakwitha
attend his religious instructions.
In 1677, at
the age of 20, Tekakwitha received the Sacrament of Baptism on the Easter Day. She
was given “Kateri” as her Christian name. “Kateri” in Iroquois language stands
for Catherine.
She strived
to live her Christian life piously by spending her spare time in prayers, keeping
away from work as part of the Sunday obligation, and fashioning crosses with
twigs. She also refused to marry when proposed.
Initially,
she began to face ridicule from her family and neighbours. Later children’s
taunting and throwing stones at her became a regular affair. Then, from the
adults, came the threat of torture and death if she did not renounce her new
religion and faith. Father de Lamberville advised her to go to the Catholic
village of Kahnawake, near present-day Montreal of Quebec province in Canada, where
she would be free to practice her faith.
In July of
1677, she fled from her village with a few other converts and crossed more than
322 kilometers (200 miles) in two
months through woods, rivers and swamps to the Catholic mission of St. Francis Xavier
at Kahnawake (then called Sault Saint-Louis by the French), a Mohawk village. Because
of her strong faith and perseverance, she was given the First Holy Communion on
Christmas Day of the same year.
Kateri could
neither read nor write, yet she tried to teach about Catholic religion to
others. She was remarkably devoted to a life of prayer and sacrifice. She
showed kindness to all and helped the poor and the sick.
On March 25,
1679, Kateri took a vow of perpetual virginity and devoted her life to Christ.
She also expressed her desire for starting a convent for aboriginal Sisters at
Kahnawake, but her spriritual director Father Pierre Cholonec discouraged her.
After the
small-pox attack in her early age, Kateri was suffering from poor health for
the rest of her life. Her health took a precarious turn at the age of 24, resulting
in her death from tuberculosis on April 17, 1680. “Jesos Konoronkwa” (Jesus, I love you) were her last words before
her death. Some witnesses at her death bed said that, after she died, Kateri’s
face automatically underwent a drastic change; her pockmarked face became
smooth losing all the scars she had before. They considered it a sign from God
that he was pleased with her.
In the past
centuries, there have been many claims of miracles (the sick being healed and
prayers to her being answered) through her intercession. Pope Pius XII, on
January 3, 1943, declared her a Venerable. Pope Paul II, on June 22, 1980,
beatified her. Pope Benedict XVI canonized her on Sunday, October 21, 2012.
Kateri
Takakwitha is the first aboriginal saint in the region of Canada and USA.
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