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St. Kateri Tekakwitha / Santa Kateri Tekakwitha

Today’s Gospel is perfect for the feast we celebrate today, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who also happens to be my Confirmation saint! Kateri was a Native American member of the Mohawk tribe in the state of New York. As a child she was exposed to smallpox, and although she survived the illness, she was left with scars on her face, partial blindness, and lifelong weakness. 

During her childhood she was introduced to Jesuit Missionaries (“black robes”) who taught her the Gospels. Jesus touched Kateri’s heart in a special way and she made a vow of virginity and dedicated her life to Jesus. Kateri’s uncle did not approve of her learning any faith and demanded that Kateri marry and stop seeing the missionaries.

Kateri was afraid that her family would force her to break the vows that she had made to Christ and went to the black robes with her worries. They helped her escape from her tribe and led her to their mission in Quebec, Canada. Kateri lived in the mission until she passed away at the age of 24. Miraculously, when she died, the scars from smallpox disappeared, showing her purity of heart through physical beauty. She was nicknamed “Lily of the Mohawks” and led more Native American people to pray through her intercession and convert to Christianity. 

I often ponder how Kateri found so much strength from the small amount of faith she was able to learn while in her tribe, and how much today’s Gospel may have helped her find courage while trekking from New York to Quebec. “Those who lose their life for my sake, will find it”. I pray for everyone reading this that your families may not be separated by religious barriers. However, if you’re like me and have this cross on your heart, I invite you to pray through St. Kateri’s intercession to find strength in trials, and that all our lost brothers, sisters, children, and friends might be brought back together in faith.  

St. Kateri, Lily of the Mohawks, pray for us! 

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El Evangelio de hoy es perfecto para la fiesta que celebramos hoy, Santa Kateri Tekakwitha, que también es mi santa de la Confirmación. Kateri era una nativa americana miembro de la tribu Mohawk en el estado de Nueva York. De niña estuvo expuesta a la viruela y, aunque sobrevivió a la enfermedad, le quedaron cicatrices en el rostro, ceguera parcial y debilidad de por vida.

Durante su infancia conoció a los misioneros jesuitas que le enseñaron los Evangelios. Jesús tocó el corazón de Kateri de una manera especial y ella hizo un voto de virginidad y dedicó su vida a Jesús. El tío de Kateri no aprobó que aprendiera ninguna fe y exigió que Kateri se casara y dejara de ver a los misioneros.

Kateri tenía miedo de que su familia la obligara a romper los votos que había hecho a Cristo y acudió a los misioneros con sus preocupaciones. Ellos la ayudaron a escapar de su tribu y la llevaron a su misión en Quebec, Canadá. Kateri vivió en la misión hasta que falleció a los 24 años. Milagrosamente, cuando murió, las cicatrices de la viruela desaparecieron, mostrando su pureza de corazón a través de su belleza física. La apodaron “Lirio de los Mohawks” e hizo que más nativos americanos oraran por su intercesión y se convirtieran al cristianismo.

A menudo me pregunto cómo Kateri encontró tanta fuerza de la poca fe que pudo aprender mientras estaba en su tribu, y cuánto el Evangelio de hoy puede haberla ayudado a encontrar valor mientras caminaba de Nueva York a Quebec. “El que salve su vida, la perderá y el que la pierda por mí, la salvará”. Rezo por todos los que leen esto para que sus familias no sean separadas por barreras religiosas. Sin embargo, si eres como yo y tienes esta cruz en tu corazón, te invito a pedir la intercesión de Santa Kateri para encontrar fuerza en las pruebas, y para que todos nuestros hermanos, hermanas, hijos y amigos perdidos puedan volver a unirse en la fe.

¡Santa Kateri, Lirio de los Mohawks, ruega por nosotros!

Comunicarse con la autora

Lily is a Michigan native and cradle Catholic who has spent most of her life exploring her own reasons to embrace her faith fully. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she discovered the beauty of her personal relationship with Christ and the Church. After college, she worked in Montessori Education for three years and recently transitioned to nannying. She was recently married and spends most of her time reading, and enjoying her dog and family!

Feature Image Credit: Author Unknown, Public Domain, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/kateri-tekakwitha-10415/

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

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