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Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

[Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha'
Also known as

Catherine Tekakwitha
Lily of the Mohawks
Tegakouita
Tegakwitha

14 July
17 April (Canada)
25 March on some calendars

Profile

Daughter of a Christian Algonquin woman captured by Iroquois and married to a non-Christian Mohawk chief. Orphaned during a smallpox epidemic, which left her with a scarred face and impaired eyesight. Converted and baptized in 1676 by Father Jacques de Lamberville, a Jesuit missionary. Shunned and abused by relatives for her faith. Escaped through 200 miles of wilderness to the Christian Native American village of Sault-Sainte-Marie. Took a vow of chastity in 1679. Known for spirituality and austere lifestyle. Miracle worker. Her grave became a pilgrimage site and place of miracles for Christian Native Americans and French colonists. First Native American proposed for canonization, her cause was started in 1884 under Pope Leo XIII. The Tekakwitha Conference, an international association of Native American Catholics and those in ministry with them, was named for her.

Born

1656 at Osserneon (Auriesville), modern New York, USA

Died

17 April 1680 at Caughnawaga, Canada of natural causes

Venerated

3 January 1943 by Pope Pius XII

Beatified

22 June 1980 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized

pending; if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Kateri, contact
   Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha League
   136 Shrine Road
   Auriesville, NY 12016, USA
      - or -
   Centre Kateri
   C.P. 70
   Kahnawake, Quebec, J0L 1B0, CANADA