Born: 1656 in Ossernenon, New York

Died: April 17, 1680

Nationality: American

Vocation: Virginity

Attributes: Lily, rosary

Patronage: the environment and ecology

Canonization: October 21, 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI 

St. Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Native American saint to be canonized. Her father was the chief of the Mohawk tribe and her mother was a Christian Algonquin woman who had been integrated into the tribe. When Kateri was young, the tribe suffered from an outbreak of smallpox, during which her whole family died. Kateri survived the outbreak but was left with scars all over her body which served as a source of embarrassment for her. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle after being left an orphan.

In 1667, three Jesuit priests visited Kateri’s village and stayed with her uncle. Through this encounter with the priests, Kateri devoted herself to the Catholic faith. She was not yet baptized, but still consecrated herself to God as a virgin and refused to marry. She was ridiculed by her tribe for her faith and chose vocation. 

Eventually, Kateri was able to be baptized and moved to a town in Canada where she continued to grow in her faith and receive the sacraments. Kateri lived a very strict life, fasting, diminishing the flavor of her food when she did eat, and performing acts of self-mortification. She is said to have reached the highest level of mystical union in the last years of her life. She died on April 17, 1680 at the age of 24. The last words she spoke were “Jesus, Mary, I love you.” According to eyewitnesses, within minutes after her death, the smallpox scars disappeared and she radiated heavenly beauty.  

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.