>>>>Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha<<<<
1656 - 1680

TURTLE ISLAND IS HER HOME.  IT IS MY OWN HOME AS WELL!  
She was born in the USA and she died in Canada. 

I have been extremely drawn to Kateri since the first time I caught her staring at me from a wall of Saints, in San Phillippe Church (1709) in Old Town - Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She was positioned in the very middle of a rack, among many other beautiful saint cards.  Kateri, is known, by many names - “Lily of the Mohawks,” “Flower of the Algonquins,” “Little Owl,” and many more.  

After examining her holy life, the Catholic Church has recognized her sanctity by giving her the title “Blessed Kateri.”  This is the next-to-last step in the process of canonization, and there is an ever growing widespread movement urging the church to declare her the first Native American Saint!  She was declared Venerable by Pope Pius XII, on January 3, 1943.  My understanding is Kateri only needs one more miracle to happen on her behalf to be granted her title of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.  

 I for one, feel strongly compelled to do my personal best to promote the Kateri Tekakwitha.  Her story is an incredible journey!  For those readers who may not already know, both Blessed Kateri and St. Rita of Cascia  were spiritual bridesmaids at my recent wedding.  

There are more artistic interpretations then one can image, of what she looked liked.  My personal favorite (so far), is the plaster statue which can be found at San Jose De La Laguna Church - Laguna Pueblo, Laguna, New Mexico.  There she can be found wearing a handmade white, red, blue, and black embroidered cloak.  She is adorned with a colorful beaded necklace, which enhances her cloak.  Underneath her cloak, is her long brown and tan dress and matching brown boots.  

To the left of Kateri is a vase of white lilies, symbolizing the purity of her life.  Directly in front of her feet lays a Native American medicine bundle.  To Kateri’s right is a beautiful pottery bowl painted in brown and white.  All of these, are the offerings that surround her, as well as incredible Native American designs which are painted on the walls of the nave.  

It is said that the paintings are of birds resting on forms representing tombs.  The birds symbolize the souls of the people buried under the tamped earth floor.  The vigas supporting the roof bring an extra woodsy feel to Kateri’s surroundings.  This church holds so much more, but for me Kateri seems to talk the loudest.

Thousands of sites can be found on the world wide web, which carry the history and story of Kateri Tekakwitha.  Yet, within me is a powerful urge inspiring me to personally introduce her to you here at White Sparrow Wigwam.  I have faith the right sort of soul will be guided by her to read and learn of whom she was, and who she can be!   

While visiting the amazing Saint Francis Basilica in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, my sweetheart of a husband purchased a sterling silver Kateri Tekakwitha pendant for me, which I am wearing now for inspiration as I share her story here with you.   

Now, I bring to you the readers this true story of The Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.  The accounts of this young lady’s life are more numerous than the spellings of her name.   “Blessed Kateri, please be with me now as I tell your earthly story - Amen!”  

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In 1655 a young Indian maiden was captured during the Iroquois invasion.  Her name was Kahenta - (or Kahontake - meaning meadow.)  Kahenta was born Algonquin Pittaraski8ssi which means “Flower of the Earth.”  In the Ojibway language, Prairie Flower  would be “Wahwahsekona.”   Kahenta, was baptized Christian, and had been raised by French settlers at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada.  

Later, she was captured and taken to the Mohawk territory and was  later wed to a non-Christian Mohawk chief, of the Turtle Clan - by doing so, she was allowed to escape her torture and her death.  

Along the bank of the Mohawk River, (located near Auriesville, NY) in the village of Ossernenon she lived and gave birth to a girl child in 1656.  The baby’s name was Tekakwitha -“One who puts things in order.”  She was also known as, Lily of the Mohawks and Flower of the Algonquin.  

In 1660, when she was only four years old, a smallpox epidemic claimed the lives of her parents and younger baby brother.  Tekakwitha was left forever fragile.  Her face was badly scarred and she was partially blinded by this hideous, deadly disease for the rest of her life.  This now young orphan was adopted by two of her aunts and her uncle (a Mohawk chief.)  

Approximately five years after this terrible striking disease, the survivors of the village all moved to the north bank of the river to a Turtle Clan village known as Gandauoque (Caughnawaga.)  History tells us that Tekakwitha’s mother had been baptized a Christian, but Tekakwitha herself, had not.  

Tekakwitha was truly unhappy in this new village.  She spent many hours alone in solitude.  She believed in her heart-of-hearts, that much of the life of these Mohawks was wrong.

Around the young age of ten, Tekakwitha witnessed the vanquishing of the Iroquois by the French people.  This event brought forth the signing of the Peace Treaty.  This Peace Treaty then allowed the ‘Black Robes’ access to enter into the Mohawk villages.  As strongly mistrusted and disliked by Mohawks, the ‘Black Robes’ began to preach and teach their faith and spread their belief system among the villages. So it was, in 1670, St. Peter’s Mission was established in Caughnawaga (Fonda, NY).  It was inside one of the Indian long-houses that a chapel was constructed.  

In spite of the strong opposition and mind set of Tekakwitha’s relations (her Uncle in particular) and other villagers’ Tekakwitha was compelled to learn all she could about the Christian religion and their God.  

Tekakwitha continued to live and work as the other Mohawks.  Gradually, she was fulfilling her destiny on the side.  Struggling with many outer obstacles, Tekakwitha was inwardly being pulled, ever stronger to become baptized as a Christian.  

In 1674, Fr. James de Lamberville took charge of the St. Peter’s Mission.  One day while nursing her injured foot, she was visited by this Father.  During the visit Tekakwitha confided in Father de Lamberville.  This lead to a mutual understanding that they would work together to prepare Tekakwitha for her baptism.  Tekakwitha was believed to be around eighteen at the time.  

Easter Sunday, April 5, 1676 at the age of twenty, Tekakwitha was indeed baptized and given the name Kateri (or Katherine).  

The strong and steady hostility from those others around her, grew greater than Tekakwitha could put her arms around.  She was nothing short of hated for converting to this new religion.  Many times she flatly refused to be married off by her family.  Life here for her was no longer safe.  

In July/August of 1677, young Kateri fled her village to go and live at Sault St. Louis, St. Francis Xavier Mission (near Montreal, Quebec, Canada). There was a journey of over two hundred miles of long hard travel.  There was two long months of rivers, swamps and woods, not to mention all of the outdoor elements. Yet, with the help of friends, and the grace of God, Kateri arrived by the fall to a new Christian Colony of Indians - north in Canada.  

On Christmas Day, December 25, 1677, at “Praying Castle,” (a Caughnawaga mission village she had fled to near Montreal, Canada) that for all her undying faith, Kateri was Blessed and was allowed to receive her very first Holy Communion.

It is said that Kateri was unable to read and write.  With little formal education, she still managed to fill her every possible minute by dedicating her life to the service of doing for others.  Kateri, taught the young and cared for the sick and elderly.  She was now looked upon as a gentle, fun-loving and dedicated person.  

Regardless of Kateri’s goodness, she was taunted and haunted by those whom insisted she marry.  Therefore, some falsely accused Kateri of having unlawful affection for a certain brave.  Kateri and her faith, stood firm in her conviction of innocense.  With plenty of prayer, she once again survived these tough times with her integrity intact.  

Kateri and good friend Mary Teresa (Tegaiguenta) performed amazing penances.  They sought out permission for the two of them, to start up a religious community.  Their request was swiftly overturned.  Once again, Kateri had been denied her passion.  

In 1678, Kateri enrolled in the pious society call The Holy Family Sodality because of her extraordinary practice of all virtues.  

On March 25, 1679 Kateri became a Bride of Christ at the Feast of the Annunciation, just a short moment after receiving Holy Communion. Kateri humbly pronounced her vow of perpetual virginity.  

Kateri and her friend Mary Teresa hoped to start a convent for Native American sisters in Sault St. Louis, but her spiritual director, Father Pierre Cholonec discouraged Kateria, due to the frailness of her health.  However, Kateri was once again stricken with a terrible illness.   

At 3 o’clock, April 17, 1680, Wednesday of Holy Week, she spent her last afternoon here on earth.  Kateri at age twenty-four was heard to softly speak “Iesos konoronkwa” - (“Jesus, I love you.”)  

Fifteen minutes after her death before the witnessing eyes of two Jesuits and all the Indians that could fit into the room, the ugly scars on Kateri’s face miraculously cleared and she was made beautiful as any Bride could be.  

On January 3, 1943, she was declared venerable by Pope Pius XII. On June 22, 1980, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II.  On July 22, 2002, she was declared Patroness of World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada. 

The Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin, has not yet been canonized, but work is still under way to have it done by the Church.  Should this happen, and I truly believe it will, this will make Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American Saint in the United States of America.

Shrines to Kateri have been erected at St. Francis Xavier, Caughnawaga, her birthplace in Auriesville, NY . . . and other places as well.  Her final resting place is in Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada.  Pilgrimages by hundreds of thousands continue to stream here, even to date.  

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Kateri led a life of prayer and penitential practices.  Her favorite hobby and devotion was to fashion crosses out of sticks and place them all throughout the woods.  It is said, they served as stations that reminded her to spend a moment in prayer.  (Personally, I don’t think she would have needed a reminder.  I simply think, she enjoyed combining her Indian ways with her Christian life.)  

She endured long hours on her knees, kneeling in prayer on the cold chapel floor for hours.  Sometimes during the winter months, she could be found kneeling in the snow, before one of her wooden crosses tacked to a tree.  

One time a priest asked the people why they gathered around Kateri in church when she was praying.  They claimed that it would become full of beauty and peace, and she beamed as if she were looking at God’s own face.  

Before her death, Kateri promised her friends that she would continue to love and pray for them in heaven.  Both Native Americans and settlers immediately began praying for her heavenly intercession.  Several people, including a priest who attended Kateri during her last illness, reported that Kateri had appeared to them and many healing miracles were attributed to her.   

Later, during 1680 (the year of Kateri’s death), Kateri appears to her spiritual advisor, her adopted mother and a close friend.  

 Fifty years after Kateri’s death the first convent for Indian nuns was established in Mexico and they pray daily for Sainthood for Blessed Kateri.  

In 1884, the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore petitions Rome to begin the process of beatification for Kateri Tekakwitha.  

In 1931, the cause for Kateri’s beatification is instituted by the Bishop of Albany, Edmund F. Gibbons.  The process is finalized the following year. In 1932, public veneration, as opposed to previous private devotion begins.  

In 1938, the Historical Section of the Congregation of Sacred Rites approves as document relating to Kateri are genuine and trustworthy and that her virtues were heroic.  

In 1939, the cause for her canonization is accepted by the Congregation of Rites in Rome.

In 1943, Pope Pius X11 declares Kateri to be venerable.  

In 1980, Kater is beatified by Pope John Paul II  

In 2002, Kateri is Patroness of World Youth Day in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  

In ????, Kateri is sure to be declared - Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.

 

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PRAYER for the Canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha:  

O God who, among the many marvels of Your Grace in the New World, did cause to blossom on the banks of the Mohawk and of the St. Lawrence, the pure and tender Lily, Kateri Tekakwitha, grant we beseech You, the favor we beg through her intercession; that this Young Lover of Jesus and of His Cross may soon be counted among her Saints by Holy Mother Church, and that our hearts may be enkindled with a stronger desire to imitate her innocence and faith.  Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Imprimatur - Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard, DD - Bishop of Albany.     

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I am extremely pleased to tell you that “Indian Country Today” on Wednesday, May 17, 2000 reported a story that could very well be the final miracle to bestow the name of Saint Kateri.  Perhaps this will be enough to entice you to check it out on your own.  This pressed release story absolutely sounds like a miracle to me! To learn more about Blessed Kateri the following is a wonderful place to start.    

Tekakwitha Conference National Center - Established in 1939
P.O. Box 6768
Great Falls, MT 59406-6768
Phone (406) 727-0147
Fax     (406) 452-9845
E-Mail: tekconf@att.net
website: www.tekconf.org

(In Canada, Feast Day is celebrated on April 17.  In the US, it is on July 14.) 
My special thanks to Sr. (Sister) Elaine for her telephone help and her assistance.  
The ‘Blessed Kateri’ rosaries which my husband purchased for me from the Tekakwitha Conference National Center, are the only rosaries I have ever owned.  Out of the three we obtained, one we gave away, the other two remain with me.  

Thank you Blessed Kateri, for allowing me this opportunity!
Sincerely, White Sparrow.

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