Lily of the Mohawks

SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA

First Native American Saint in the United States of America and Canada She was born in 1656 of an Algonquin mother and a Mohawk Chief in

the Mohawk vil lage of Ossernenon (modern day Auriesvil le)in upstate New York.

When she was only 4 years old her parents and brother died of smallpox.

Kateri survived the disease, but it left her face badly scarred and her eyesight impaired.

Because of her poor vision, Kateri was named "Tekakwitha", which means "she who bumps into things".

Kateri was taken in by her uncle who was bitterly opposed to Christianity.

When Kateri was 18 years of age, she began instructions in the Catholic Faith in secret.

Her uncle fi nally relented and gave his consent for Kateri to become a Christian, provided that she did not try to leave the Indian vi l lage.

For joining the Catholic Church, Kateri was ridiculed and scorned by vil lagers. She was subjected to unfair accusations and her l i fe was threatened.

LILY OF THE MOHAWKS

Nearly two years after her baptism, in St. Peter’s Chapel at the present Kateri Shrine

On Christmas Day 1677 Kateri made her fi rst holy communion and on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1679

made a vow of perpetual virginity. She also off ered herself to the Blessed Mother

Mary to accept her as a daughter. She died April 17, 1680 in Kahnawake, Canada She is the patron saint of the environment and ecology She was known as the Lily of the Mohawks  She also was known for her gentleness, kindness,

and good humor.  In Canada, Kateri taught prayers to children

and worked with the elderly and sick. She would often go to Mass both at dawn

and sunset. 

FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN SAINT

HumilityChastityObedience

VIRTUES

QUOTES

I believe that God helps those who set out to do great things for his sake and never fails those who trust

"St. Kateri Tekakwitha” - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Aug. 2015

"Kateri's Pathway to Sainthood ." Kateri Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2015.

CITATIONS

ACTIVITIES WITH STUDENTS

http://www.catholicinspired.com/2014/07/st-kateri-tekakwitha-craft-liturgical.html

Appropriate for Grades 2-6

http://www.catholicinspired.com/2012/07/kateri-tekakwitha-dress-up-fun-brown.html

Appropriate for Grades PreK-2

ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Christian Symbol Indian Headband. A head band and feather to color, cut, and wear. Tape or staple the three bands together and create the size needed to fi t on the child's head. It's best if this is printed on stock paper.

Make these with your students and then have them create 5 minute vignettes about the life of Saint Kateri. Have the students present their short skits to the class.

Appropriate for Grades 2-6. Here is a website for a free printout to make the headbands: http://www.orgsites.com/pa/catholic_inspired/Bl%20Kateri.pdf

ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS

Here are some other ideas from the Renfrew County Cathol ic School Distr ict  Video Presentations

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: A Healer ’s Saint(6:45 min video presentat ion from Kater i Televis ion with discussion quest ions. Excel lent for c lassroom and adult faith groups)Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Model of the First Evangelization and of the New Evangelization(With Fr.  Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., CEO Salt + Light TV)

ImagesOldest Portrait of Kateri Tekakwitha(The oldest portrait of Kater i Tekakwitha is an oi l paint ing on canvas 41 x 37″ painted by Father Chauchetière between 1682-1693. Kater i appeared to him during that t ime. The or iginal paint ing hangs in the sacr isty of St . Francis Xavier Church on the Kanawaké Mohawk Reservat ion on the south bank of the St . Lawrence River, near Montréal , Québec.)Lily of the Mohawks 1 and 2 by Dorothy SpeiserBronze Statue of Bl. Kateri at Santa Fe CathedralSt. Kateri Tekakwitha(Stained Glass at St . Jerome Church, West Long Branch, New Jersey)Holy Cards and Other ImagesYahoo Images of Kateri Tekakwitha

OTHER RESOURCES AND IDEAS