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| St. Kateri Tekakwitha |
Last
Sunday, October 21, Kateri Tekakwitha, a 16th century convert known
as “Lily of the Mohawks”, became the first Native American to gain sainthood.
Saint Kateri was born in 1656 in what is now New York State to a Mohawk father
and an Algonquin mother. Her tomb is in St. Francis Xavier Mission in
Kahnawake, near Montreal.
Kahnawake Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle Jr.
said, “Kateri’s canonization is a very significant event, not only for the Mohawk
faithful, but for Native people throughout North America…and beyond. We know
that there will be millions of people sharing in the celebrations of this day.
The fact that a quiet and unassuming woman of peace who died so long ago will
be acknowledged and remembered at this level is something we can all be proud
of.”
In his homily, Pope Benedict said, “Saint Kateri,
Protectress of Canada and the first Native American saint, we entrust to you
the renewal of the faith in the first nations and in North America! May God
bless the first nations!”
Portraits of the new saints, including French
Jesuit Jacques Berthieu, Italian priest Giovanni Battista Piamarta, the Spanish
nun Carmen Salles y Barangueras, and German laywoman Anna Schaffer, hung from
the marble facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the crowds cheered as each name
was called.
Let us honour these new Saints and ask Kateri,
Protectress of Canada to increase the faith of all in our country.
I wish you all a great week!
Fr. Phil
