Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
Stored in Cargo: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
| Saint Kateri Tekakwitha | |
| Feast Day | July 14 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Native Americans, ecology, orphans |
| Birthplace | Ossernenon, New York, United States |
| Death Place | Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (illness) |
| Primary Shrine | Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Kahnawake, Canada |
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656 AD – 1680 AD), the “Lily of the Mohawks,” was a Mohawk-Algonquin virgin and laywoman, the first Native American saint. Born in Ossernenon, New York, she converted to Catholicism, faced persecution, and lived ascetically in Kahnawake, Quebec. Canonized in 2012 AD by Pope Benedict XVI, she is venerated for her purity.[1]
Kateri is the patron saint of Native Americans, ecology, and orphans, with her feast day on 14 July. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, her relics at the Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Kahnawake, draw pilgrims. Her devotion inspires indigenous Catholics.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was born in 1656 AD in Ossernenon, New York, United States, to a Mohawk father and Algonquin mother.[1] Ossernenon’s tribal life shaped her early years. Orphaned by smallpox, she was raised by relatives.
Her smallpox scars and poor health marked her youth.[3]
Early Life
Kateri encountered Jesuit missionaries, converting to Catholicism at 19 in 1676 AD.[4] Baptized Catherine, she faced tribal hostility, fleeing to Kahnawake, Quebec, in 1677 AD. There, she lived ascetically, dedicating herself to prayer.
Her piety earned her the “Lily of the Mohawks” title.[5]
Occupation
Kateri had no formal profession due to her youth and health.[1] In Kahnawake, she performed domestic tasks and taught children prayers. Her “occupation” was her spiritual life of penance and devotion.
Her asceticism inspired her community.[6]
Vocation
Kateri’s religious vocation began with baptism in 1676 AD.[1] In Kahnawake, she vowed virginity, living in prayer and penance despite frail health. Her devotion influenced Native American converts, fostering Catholicism.
Her life inspired Jesuit accounts of sanctity.[7]
Death
Kateri died on 17 April 1680 AD in Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada, from illness, aged 24.[1] She passed in a mission longhouse, surrounded by missionaries. Her death inspired devotion.
Buried in Kahnawake, her relics draw pilgrims.[8]
Significant events
- Baptized Catholic, 1676 AD.[5]
- Fled to Kahnawake, 1677 AD.[6]
- Vowed virginity, 1679 AD.[4]
- Died in Kahnawake, 1680 AD.[1]
- Canonized, 2012 AD.[8]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Ossernenon, New York, United States
Death location: Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada
Notable location:
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Kateri’s sainthood process began in 1884 AD, initiated by the Diocese of Albany.[3] Her asceticism and Jesuit accounts supported sanctity. Native American devotion advanced her cause.
Parishes promoted her veneration.[1]
Venerable
Kateri was declared Venerable in 1943 AD by Pope Pius XII.[1] Her heroic virtue was cited. Church reviews of missionary records formalized her cult.
This boosted devotion in North America.[5]
Beatification
Kateri was beatified on 22 June 1980 AD by Pope John Paul II.[1] A child’s healing from smallpox in 1970 AD was verified. Her beatification inspired Native American Catholics.
Shrines emerged in Kahnawake.[6]
Canonization
Kateri was canonized on 21 October 2012 AD by Pope Benedict XVI.[1] A boy’s healing from a facial disease in 2006 AD was confirmed. Her feast day of 14 July was set.
Her sainthood celebrated indigenous faith.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
A child’s recovery from smallpox in 1970 AD was verified for beatification.[1] Medical evidence confirmed the miracle.
This strengthened her cult.[2]
Miracle for canonization
A boy’s healing from a facial disease in 2006 AD was verified for canonization.[8] Church investigations upheld authenticity.
This solidified her sainthood.[6]
Other notable miracles
- Healings at Kateri’s tomb, undocumented.[7]
- Her face’s posthumous clearing was seen as miraculous.[5]
Patronage
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of Native Americans, ecology, and orphans.[2] Her patronage supports indigenous and environmental causes.[9]
Feast day
Kateri’s feast day is 14 July, celebrated with Masses in Kahnawake and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to her shrine mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to her Kahnawake shrine.[2] Native Americans seek her intercession. Her relics are displayed on her feast day.
Depicted with a lily, her purity, noted in X posts, inspires devotion.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in Jesuit accounts.[3]
External links
- CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
- Catholic.org: St. Kateri Tekakwitha
- Franciscan Media: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
- Catholic News Agency: St. Kateri Tekakwitha
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Kateri Tekakwitha". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-kateri-tekakwitha/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "St. Kateri Tekakwitha". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=154. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Kateri Tekakwitha". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14471a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Kateri Tekakwitha". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Kateri-Tekakwitha. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Kateri Tekakwitha". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-kateri-tekakwitha/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "St. Kateri Tekakwitha". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-kateri-tekakwitha-579. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Fr. Pierre Cholenec. "Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha". Diocese of Saint-Jean-Longueuil. https://www.katerishrine.ca/history. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/homilies/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20121021_canonizzazioni.html. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Kateri Tekakwitha". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-kateri-tekakwitha. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Lily of the Mohawks". CatholicSaints via X. 14 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/kateri2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.