Phone: 318-483-3908
E-Mail: tekconf@gmail.comWebsite: tekconf.org
Tekakwitha
was born in 1656 of a Christian Catholic Algonquin mother & a
traditional Mohawk Chief in a village called Ossernenon along Mohawk
River.
A smallpox epidemic swept through Mohawk village & claimed lives of Tekakwitha's parents & baby brother. She survived disease but it left her eyesight impaired & her body scarred. It also left her physically weak for rest of her life. Orphaned at age 4, she was adopted by her aunt & uncle.
In 1670, St. Peter's Mission was established in Caughnawaga (now Fonda, New York). Four years later, Father James de Lamberville became responsible for new mission. Tekakwitha met Father de Lamberville & expressed her desire for baptism. On April 5, 1676 she was baptized & was given name Catherine 'Kateri in Mohawk.'
In August, 1677, Kateri was encouraged & assisted to leave her Mohawk village & live at Sault St. Louis, St. Francis Xavier Mission near Montreal Canada. After a long & strenuous trip, she arrived at Sault with help of friends. Finally, she'd be able to practice her Christian ways with greater openness & freedom.
On Christmas Day, 1677, Kateri received her 1st Holy Communion. On 3/25/1679, Kateri pronounced her vow of perpetual virginity. Her life was devoted to teaching prayers to children & helping sick & aged until she became very frail & weak.
On April 17, 1680, she died at age of 24. Her last words were: "Iesos konoronkwa," (Jesus, I love you.) A few minutes after her death, those around her bedside witnessed scars on her face suddenly disappear.
A smallpox epidemic swept through Mohawk village & claimed lives of Tekakwitha's parents & baby brother. She survived disease but it left her eyesight impaired & her body scarred. It also left her physically weak for rest of her life. Orphaned at age 4, she was adopted by her aunt & uncle.
In 1670, St. Peter's Mission was established in Caughnawaga (now Fonda, New York). Four years later, Father James de Lamberville became responsible for new mission. Tekakwitha met Father de Lamberville & expressed her desire for baptism. On April 5, 1676 she was baptized & was given name Catherine 'Kateri in Mohawk.'
In August, 1677, Kateri was encouraged & assisted to leave her Mohawk village & live at Sault St. Louis, St. Francis Xavier Mission near Montreal Canada. After a long & strenuous trip, she arrived at Sault with help of friends. Finally, she'd be able to practice her Christian ways with greater openness & freedom.
On Christmas Day, 1677, Kateri received her 1st Holy Communion. On 3/25/1679, Kateri pronounced her vow of perpetual virginity. Her life was devoted to teaching prayers to children & helping sick & aged until she became very frail & weak.
On April 17, 1680, she died at age of 24. Her last words were: "Iesos konoronkwa," (Jesus, I love you.) A few minutes after her death, those around her bedside witnessed scars on her face suddenly disappear.
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