Today is the feast day of the only Native American Saint, St. Kateri Tekakwitha. Saint Kateri was canonized on October 21, 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. She is a beautiful example of persevering through obstacles for Christ, through Christ, and with Christ.
The Life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was born in 1656 in present day New York. She was orphaned at a young age when her mother died of smallpox (St. Kateri was also infected but survived with some facial scarring and visual impairment). While then lived with some of her relatives and by the age of 20 was baptized by Father Jaques de Lamberville. Her family responded to St. Kateri’s faith by shunning and abusing her. She had no choice but to escape and travel some 200 miles to Sault-Sainte-Marie, a Christian Native American village where she would be welcomed. Could you imagine traveling 200 miles on foot through the wilderness with nothing but the stars in the sky and your faith to guide you? Saint Kateri trusted in God and after making it to the village she took a vow of chastity. Her influence was felt quickly in the village as she began working miracles, praying intensely, and caring for the poor. Saint Kateri, due to her struggle with illness, died at a very young age of 24.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is not surprisingly a patroness of the environment and orphans. Her life teaches us many lessons. What strikes me was her faith. Her faith that God would bring her to a place where she could live a life of Christian self-giving and sacrifice for others. How hard it is to truly trust in God completely, but that is exactly what she did throughout her life.
What inspires you about this incredible saint? What lessons do you learn from her incredible life and story?
