Christanity's first Native American Saint

Published October 20, 2012
A statue of St. Kateri Tekakwitha stands in St. Peter's Chapel at the National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda. – Photo by Reuters
A statue of St. Kateri Tekakwitha stands in St. Peter's Chapel at the National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda. – Photo by Reuters
Stakes marking the outline of the historical "Mohawk Castle" of Caughnawaga, the childhood home of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, stand in a field at the National Shrine. – Photo by Reuters
Stakes marking the outline of the historical "Mohawk Castle" of Caughnawaga, the childhood home of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, stand in a field at the National Shrine. – Photo by Reuters
A small concrete structure stands over Tekakwitha Spring near the "Mohawk Castle." – Photo by Reuters
A small concrete structure stands over Tekakwitha Spring near the "Mohawk Castle." – Photo by Reuters
A sign points the way to Tekakwitha Spring near the castle. – Photo by Reuters
A sign points the way to Tekakwitha Spring near the castle. – Photo by Reuters
A statue made in the likeness of St. Kateri Tekakwitha stands in the afternoon light. – Photo by Reuters
A statue made in the likeness of St. Kateri Tekakwitha stands in the afternoon light. – Photo by Reuters
Rosaries bearing the likeness of St. Kateri Tekakwitha hang from a display in a gift shop at the National Shrine. – Photo by Reuters
Rosaries bearing the likeness of St. Kateri Tekakwitha hang from a display in a gift shop at the National Shrine. – Photo by Reuters
Nuns pray during a ceremony to celebrate the Feast of the North American Martyrs at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville. – Photo by Reuters
Nuns pray during a ceremony to celebrate the Feast of the North American Martyrs at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville. – Photo by Reuters
Catholic devotees pray during a ceremony to celebrate the Feast of the North American Martyrs at the Shrine. – Photo by Reuters
Catholic devotees pray during a ceremony to celebrate the Feast of the North American Martyrs at the Shrine. – Photo by Reuters
Catholic devotees pray behind a statue of St. Kateri Tekakwitha before a ceremony to celebrate the Feast of the North American Martyrs. – Photo by Reuters
Catholic devotees pray behind a statue of St. Kateri Tekakwitha before a ceremony to celebrate the Feast of the North American Martyrs. – Photo by Reuters
A woman looks at cards printed with the likeness of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha on them inside a gift shop. – Photo by Reuters
A woman looks at cards printed with the likeness of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha on them inside a gift shop. – Photo by Reuters
A woman looks at statuettes made in the likeness of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. – Photo by Reuters
A woman looks at statuettes made in the likeness of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. – Photo by Reuters

The National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda built on the birthplace of Saint Kateri Tekakwith.

Tekakwitha’s name means “one who places things in order.” She was orphaned at a very young age after an attack on her village which left her partially blind. Despite being outcast after embracing Christianity she preached her faith.

On 21st Oct 2012 the Catholic Church will canonize Kateri Tekakwitha of the Mohawk tribe who died in 1680 making her the first ever Native American saint.

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