Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: Novena and Background

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Feast Day July 14th

Novena

Lily of the Mohawks

Image of purity and devotion

As you so faithfully stood by Christ in the Holy Eucharist while on earth,

Saint Kateri please be our friend and intercessor before the Almighty

We pray that we may embody the beautiful virtues of courage, purity, and humility that you exemplified on earth.  

May we learn through your example to care more for those around us than for ourselves.  

Help us to be witnesses of Jesus to all those we meet as you did.  
We humbly ask that you carry our petitions before our loving Lord. Amen
(Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be daily for nine days)

Background

Kateri was born in 1656 in a town near Auriesville New York.  She was the daughter of a Mohawk warrior and a Christian Algonquin mother.  Both of her parents died when she was 4. Her life in many ways reflects that of St. Teresa the Little Flower who also lost her mother at the age of 4 and like Kateri died at the age of 24.  Kateri’s parents both died of small pox. Kateri also contracted the disease but survived but her face was left disfigured. She was often seen with a blanket over her head to hide her face.

Kateri was baptized as a teenager and was rejected by her tribe.  She courageously left her home and moved to a region near Montreal, Canada. Kateri remained devoted to both the Eucharist and Christ Crucified.  She would wait outside the chapel at 4 in the morning despite bitter cold and stayed until after the last Mass.  She was commited to the care of the sick and aged.  She also took a vow of virginity at the age of 23 an unprecedented act for an Indian women.  

Kateri was the first Native American to be Beatified.  Pope John Paul II Beatified her in 1980 and on Oct 21st 2012 she was canonized by Pope Benedict the XVI.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of the environment.