St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Lily of the Mohawks
Feast Day: July 14
Biography
St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680) was born in present-day Auriesville, New York, the daughter of a Mohawk chief and an Algonquin Christian woman who had been captured in a raid. When she was four years old, a smallpox epidemic killed her parents and brother and left her with severely damaged eyesight and a scarred face. She was raised by her uncle, who opposed Christianity. At age twenty, she was baptized by a Jesuit missionary and given the name Kateri (Catherine). Her conversion brought fierce persecution from her village — she was ostracized, denied food, threatened, and harassed. She fled 200 miles to the Christian mission of Kahnawake near Montreal. There she lived a life of intense prayer, penance, and charity, assisting the sick and elderly and teaching children about God. She took a vow of perpetual virginity — extraordinary for an indigenous woman of her time. She died on April 17, 1680, at the age of twenty-four. According to witnesses, within minutes of her death, the smallpox scars vanished from her face, which became radiantly beautiful. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012.
Patronages
Symbols
Prayer
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, you loved Christ with all your heart despite the scorn of those around you. Help me to remain faithful to my baptismal promises and to see God's beauty in all creation. Give me strength to stand firm in my faith even when it costs me. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Asking for Intercession
Catholics ask saints to pray with us and for us, as we ask friends on earth. St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who lives in God's presence, intercedes before His throne. Speak from your heart: “St. Kateri Tekakwitha, please pray for me…” You may also pray the prayer above or include this intention in your Rosary.