Lily of the Mohawks SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA

 First Native American Saint in the United States of America and Canada  She was born in 1656 of an Algonquin mother and a Mohawk Chief in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon (modern day Auriesville)in upstate New York.  When she was only 4 years old her parents and brother died of smallpox.  Kateri survived the disease, but it left her face badly scarred and her eyesight impaired.  Because of her poor vision, Kateri was named "Tekakwitha", which means "she who bumps into things".  Kateri was taken in by her uncle who was bitterly opposed to Christianity.  When Kateri was 18 years of age, she began instructions in the Catholic Faith in secret.  Her uncle finally relented and gave his consent for Kateri to become a Christian, provided that she did not try to leave the Indian village.  For joining the Catholic Church, Kateri was ridiculed and scorned by villagers. She was subjected to unfair accusations and her life was threatened. LILY OF THE MOHAWKS

 Nearly two years after her baptism, in St. Peter’s Chapel at the present Kateri Shrine  On Christmas Day 1677 Kateri made her first holy communion and on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1679 made a vow of perpetual virginity.  She also offered herself to the Blessed Mother Mary to accept her as a daughter.  She died April 17, 1680 in Kahnawake, Canada  She is the patron saint of the environment and ecology  She was known as the Lily of the Mohawks  She also was known for her gentleness, kindness, and good humor.  In Canada, Kateri taught prayers to children and worked with the elderly and sick.  She would often go to Mass both at dawn and sunset. FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN SAINT

 Humility  Chastity  Obedience VIRTUES

QUOTES I believe that God helps those who set out to do great things for his sake and never fails those who trust

 "St. Kateri Tekakwitha” - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Aug  "Kateri's Pathway to Sainthood." Kateri Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct CITATIONS

ACTIVITIES WITH STUDENTS tekakwitha-craft-liturgical.html Appropriate for Grades 2-6

dress-up-fun-brown.html Appropriate for Grades PreK-2 ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Christian Symbol Indian Headband. A head band and feather to color, cut, and wear. Tape or staple the three bands together and create the size needed to fit on the child's head. It's best if this is printed on stock paper. Make these with your students and then have them create 5 minute vignettes about the life of Saint Kateri. Have the students present their short skits to the class. Appropriate for Grades 2-6. Here is a website for a free printout to make the headbands: ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS

 Here are some other ideas from the Renfrew County Catholic School District  Video Presentations Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: A Healer’s Saint (6:45 min video presentation from Kateri Television with discussion questions. Excellent for classroom and adult faith groups) Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Model of the First Evangelization and of the New Evangelization (With Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., CEO Salt + Light TV) Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: A Healer’s Saint Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Model of the First Evangelization and of the New Evangelization  Images Oldest Portrait of Kateri Tekakwitha (The oldest portrait of Kateri Tekakwitha is an oil painting on canvas 41 x 37″ painted by Father Chauchetière between Kateri appeared to him during that time. The original painting hangs in the sacristy of St. Francis Xavier Church on the Kanawaké Mohawk Reservation on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River, near Montréal, Québec.) Lily of the Mohawks 1 and 2 by Dorothy Speiser Bronze Statue of Bl. Kateri at Santa Fe Cathedral St. Kateri Tekakwitha (Stained Glass at St. Jerome Church, West Long Branch, New Jersey) Holy Cards and Other Images Yahoo Images of Kateri Tekakwitha Oldest Portrait of Kateri Tekakwitha Lily of the Mohawks 1 and 2 by Dorothy Speiser Bronze Statue of Bl. Kateri at Santa Fe Cathedral St. Kateri Tekakwitha Holy Cards and Other Images Yahoo Images of Kateri Tekakwitha OTHER RESOURCES AND IDEAS