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St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born to a Christian Algonquin Indian, who had been taken captive by the Iroquois and given as wife to Kateri’s father, the chief of the Mohawk clan. When Kateri was four, smallpox struck the village, killing her parents and a little brother. Kateri had also contracted smallpox, and the disease left her scarred and half-blind, which became a source of humiliation and teasing by members of the village, so much so that she would often wear a blanket over her head.
After the death of her parents, Kateri’s uncle, who took over as chief, adopted her. Kateri’s uncle was hostile to the Jesuit missionaries who came to the village, but could not stop them from being there because of a peace treaty with the French. The Jesuits’ preaching moved Kateri. Fear of her uncle’s reaction kept her from pursuing the matter for a time, until, at the age of 19, she was baptized on Easter Sunday.
Because of Kateri’s conversion, she was treated horribly by her family, who encouraged villagers to throw things at her and tease her. Because of her devotion to the Sabbath, Kateri refused to work on Sundays, so her family would starve her on those days. Despite these trials, Kateri continued to grow in holiness.
Eventually, Kateri’s safety became a concern, so one night, Kateri ran away from home to walk 200 miles to a Christian Indian village, where she would live until her death.
In the three years she lived in the village, Kateri continued to grow in holiness. She prayed for long hours, engaged in serious penance, and did many works of charity for those around her. When she was 23, she made a vow of virginity, which was unprecedented among those in the village. Once she learned about religious life, she considered starting a community, but a priest dissuaded her. Kateri accepted this with obedience.
Kateri continued to practice very severe forms of penance, praying for the conversion of her nation. Finally, her health began to fail as a result of these penances, and she died on the Wednesday of Holy Week. At her death, her smallpox scars disappeared.
Lessons From St. Kateri Tekakwitha
St. Kateri was essentially abandoned by those she loved most, either through facing the deaths of her immediate family or being abused and neglected by her adoptive family for her conversion. She could have easily fallen into bitterness and a lack of forgiveness. Instead, she chose to see their need for God, leading her, in her last three years of life, to pray and do penance for the conversion of her nation.
May we, like St. Kateri, see others’ need for God and pray for their conversion, even when they may not deserve our prayers based on what they have done to us.
Learn More
In her book Lily of the Mohawks, Emily Cavins gives a great, detailed account of the life of St. Kateri. I recommend picking up a copy to learn more.