“I have abandoned this miserable body to hunger and any other misery so my soul could be content and have its usual nourishment.” – Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
On Wednesday, July 14, the Catholic Church recognizes and celebrates the life of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous/Native American to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Saint Kateri converted to Catholicism at age 19. She was very devout but died at age 24, just five years after her conversion. Canonized in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, Saint Kateri is the patroness of ecology and the environment, people in exile, and Indigenous/Native Americans.
Saint Kateri Prayer
By Harold Caldwell
O Saint Kateri, Lily of the Mohawks,
Your love for Jesus,
so strong, so steadfast,
pray that we may become like you.
Your short and painful life
showed us your strength and humility.
Pray that we may become
forever humble like you.
Like the bright and shining stars at night,
we pray that your light
may forever shine down upon us,
giving light, hope, peacefulness
and serenity in our darkest moments.
Fill our hearts, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
with your same love for Jesus
and pray that we may have the strength and courage
to become one like you in Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.