Today, Kateri Tekakwitha, was canonized a saint -- the first Native American to receive the title. Kateri, known as the "Lily of the Mohawks," was born in 1656. She was the daughter of a pagan Iroquois father and an Algonquin Christian mother who lived in what is today known as upstate New York. Her parents and only brother died when she was four during a smallpox epidemic. She, too, suffered from smallpox, resulting in bad scarring on her face and impaired eyesight. Kateri was adopted by her uncle, a Mohawk, and baptized Catholic by Jesuit missionaries. But she was ostracized and persecuted for her faith. Because of increasing hostility and because she wanted to devote her life to working for God, in 1677 Kateri left her village and fled more than 200 miles to the Catholic mission of St. Francis Xavier at Sault Saint-Louis, near Montreal.
On March 25, 1679, Kateri made a vow of perpetual virginity, meaning that she would remain unmarried and totally devoted to Christ for the rest of her life. Kateri's health rapidly deteriorated due in part to the penances she inflicted on herself. Kateri died at age 24. Her last words were, "Jesus, I love You."
Ask for her powerful love and intercession in this prayer:
Saint Kateri, Star of Native People and Bright Light for all! We thank God for your heroic courage, constant perseverance and deep love of the Cross.
Pray for us, that our love for Christ may deepen. And may we imitate you in following God's will even when difficulties arise. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment