Kateri Tekakwitha

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Tekakwitha, Kateri
Kateri Tekakwitha (Catherine), known as the Lily of the Mohawks, first North American native candidate for sainthood (b at Ossernenon [near Auriesville, NY] 1656; d at the St-François-Xavier Mission [Kahnawake], New France 17 Apr 1680). Her rejection of several marriage offers and desire for a life of virginity put her at odds with Mohawk life even before she became a Christian. Her baptism in 1676 led to persecution, and a year later she left home for the Christian native village at Caughnawaga (now Kahnawake). There she became known for her sanctity and was given permission by the Jesuits in 1679 to make a private vow of chastity. Her death the next year from a prolonged illness was perhaps partly brought on by her penitential lifestyle. Her relics are preserved in a shrine at Kahnawake, and numerous miracles have since been reported there. A portrait of her was painted in 1681 by Jesuit Father Claude CHAUCHETIÈRE, who also wrote a biography of her. She was beatified 22 June 1980.

Author JOHN RASMUSSEN


Links to Other Sites
Kateri Tekakwitha
A biography of Kateri Tekakwitha. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha - Footprints
A profile of the revered Kateri Tekakwitha from the website for The Aboriginal Multi-Media Society.

Pope to declare Mohawk woman buried in Quebec a saint
A CTV News story about Pope Benedict designating Kateri Tekakwitha a saint.

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