Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. She was born in 1656, in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon. Today this area is known as Auriesville.

Auriesville Auriesville is a hamlet in the northeastern part of the Town of Glen in Montgomery County, New York It is situated along the south bank of the Mohawk River and west of Fort Hunter. It lies about forty miles west of Albany, the state capital. It is the home to National Shrine of the North American Martyrs.

National Shrine of the North American Martyrs The National Shrine of the North American Martyrs, is also dedicated as the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs. It is a Roman Catholic shrine in Auriesville, New York dedicated to the three Jesuit missionaries who were martyred at the Mohawk Indian village of Ossernenon in 1642 and 1646.

This Shrine Honors These Three Jesuit Martyrs Saint Rene Goupil, a lay brother martyred in 1642 in New York State. Saint Isaac Jogues, a Jesuit priest. Saint John de Lalande, a lay brother, martyred in 1646 in New York State. It also honors Saint Kateri Tekakwitha who was born in Auriesville.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha At this point I would like to introduce a video by Fr. Thomas Rosica who will explain for us in detail the life of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Father is a priest of the Congregation of St. Basil. Here is Fr. Rosica’s video.

Conclusion St. Kateri Tekakwitha died on April 17, 1680 at the young age of 24. Under the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, she was beatified in 1980. Under the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI she was canonized at Saint Peter's Basilica on October 2012.

Conclusion (continued) St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the patroness of ecology and the environment, people in exile and Native Americans. St. Kateri Tekakwitha Feast Day is celebrated on July 14.

Prayer to the Lily of the Mohawks Blessed Kateri, you are revered as the mystic of the American wilderness. Though orphaned at the age of four, and left with a scarred face and damaged eyesight from illness, you were esteemed among the Mohawk tribe. When you asked to be baptized a Christian, you subjected yourself to abuse by your people and were forced to run away. You endured may trials but still flowered in prayer and holiness, dedicating yourself totally to Christ. I ask you to be my spiritual guide along my journey through life. Through you intercession, I pray that I may always be loyal to my faith in all things. Amen.

References Catholic Online - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=154 EWTN - https://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/K/blkateritekakwitha.asp YouTube - Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HptpEQn80g