Welcome St. Kateri Tekakwitha to the table!

On this month of thanksgiving, I can not think of a better guest to invite to my gathering. Wild rice, which has been cherished for centuries, pairs beautifully with the tender venison and the rich cranberry maple sauce, a combination that is regarded as a traditional meal shared by the Algonquin and Ojibwe peoples. This delightful dish is served alongside a lovely piece of traditional Mohawk Milk Cake, which adds a sweet touch to the meal. (For those who are interested, the recipes can be conveniently found located at the bottom of this blog.) This carefully planned menu is crafted for my intimate dinner in honor of St. Kateri, as a way to celebrate her legacy and the rich cultural heritage associated with it.

Kateri Tekakwitha was born in the year 1656 in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon, which is just a few miles west of what is today known as Auriesville, New York. Her Mohawk name, Tekakwitha, translates to “she who bumps into things,” reflecting her early life experiences. Kateri was the daughter of Mohawk Chief Kenneronkwa and his wife Tagaskouita, an Algonquian woman who was adopted by the Mohawk before their marriage. This practice of adoption was quite common among the Mohawk tribes during the 1600s, as they sought to mitigate the significant population losses they experienced due to European diseases and conflicts arising from the fur trade wars. As a result of this practice, the vibrant community in which Kateri was raised was characterized by a rich tapestry of Indigenous languages and cultures.

“I am not my own; I have given myself to Jesus. He must be my only love. The state of helpless poverty that may befall me if I do not marry does not frighten me.”

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

At age ten, Kateri's village was attacked by French colonists, forcing her family to flee into the woods. To stop the fighting, the Mohawk allowed French Jesuit missionaries in, who aimed to convert them to Catholicism and encouraged converts to relocate to Catholic villages. Many Mohawk opposed the missionaries due to their desire to change traditional practices. Kateri's uncle forbade her from speaking to the missionaries since her older cousin had converted and moved away prior to their arrival.

In 1669, the Mohawk tribe faced a significant threat when they were attacked by the Mahican, a neighboring tribe that sought to take control of the lucrative fur trade in the region. During this tumultuous period, Kateri and several other young Mohawk women worked tirelessly alongside Jesuit missionaries to provide care for the sick and wounded individuals affected by the conflict. The missionaries’ dedicated work and religious teachings during this challenging time made a deep and lasting impression on Kateri. When she reached the age of thirteen, her family attempted to persuade her to marry one of her uncles, a traditional expectation within their culture. However, Kateri firmly expressed to her aunt that she had no desire to enter into marriage. This stance was not uncommon for Catholic women who aspired to embrace religious life as nuns. Kateri’s growing interest in Catholicism offered her an alternative life path and the invaluable opportunity to exercise her own choices regarding her future. In the spring of 1674, Kateri confided in a visiting priest, expressing her desire to learn more about his religion. The priest was pleased by her interest and promptly began to provide her with formal instruction in the prayers and rituals associated with his faith. Kateri was baptized in 1676, taking the name Kateri in honor of Saint Catherine. Unfortunately, her decision to convert did not receive support from her community. After enduring six long months of ridicule and facing accusations of witchcraft from some neighbors in her village, Kateri ultimately heeded the advice of her spiritual advisor and made the difficult decision to move to the Jesuit settlement of Kahnawake, seeking a place where she could freely practice her beliefs.

Kateri fell ill and died on April 17, 1680, at about 23 or 24 years old. It is said her last words were “Jesus, Mary, I love you.” After her death, she reportedly appeared to her mentor Anastasia Tegonhatsiong, Marie Thérèse, and missionary Claude Chauchetière. Within four years, people started visiting her tomb, and healing miracles were linked to her.

Kateri was officially canonized as the first Native American saint in the year 2012, marking a significant moment in both religious history and the recognition of Indigenous spirituality. Kahnawake, situated just outside of Montréal, served as a safe haven and spiritual community for Indigenous men and women who chose to convert to Catholicism. Daily life within the settlement was characterized by a unique blend of Indigenous traditions and European practices, creating a rich cultural tapestry that reflected the diverse heritage of its residents.

Thank you, Kateri, for serving as a meaningful bridge between Native American and European cultures, helping to foster understanding and respect between these diverse traditions.

Feast Day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha on July 14

Kateri Tekakwitha ,Pray for Us …

Keep at it! Keep praying. Love the Lord.

Peace and Grace.