Louisiana artist honors 'Lily of the Mohawks' with carving

Published: 2004-07-13

GRAND CAILLOU, La. (CNS) -- While receiving radiation treatments for cancer, Peter Verdin carved a wooden image of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the first American Indian to be considered for sainthood. For the Native American artist, carving was a relaxing distraction from the cancer treatment. Verdin attributes all of his work to God, Blessed Kateri and Mary. "They did a super job," he told the Bayou Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. "I'd get up in the morning and I'd pray for help with this. While carving I would get ideas," said the former welder, who works in an aluminum shop. The carving of Blessed Kateri, known as the "Lily of the Mohawks," could not have been done without the help of daily prayer for her intercession, added the artist, a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Grand Caillou.

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