Canadians called to honor Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha with special year

Published: 2005-05-03

KAHNAWAKE, Quebec (CNS) -- The Canadian church is launching a jubilee year to honor Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, who became the first indigenous North American to be beatified. Also known as "the Lily of the Mohawks," Blessed Kateri was baptized at the age of 20 in upstate New York, where she was born. Soon after, she fled to Kahnawake in southern Quebec, consecrated herself to God and lived a life of fervent prayer, penance and service. She died in 1680 at the age of 24 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II June 22, 1980. Bishop Jacques Berthelet of St. Jean-Longueuil, Quebec, declared the jubilee year April 17, during a Mass at St. Francis Xavier Mission in the diocese's Kahnawake reserve. That day also marked the date of her death 325 years ago. Blessed Kateri "is a sign that God is at home in the native people," Bishop Berthelet told parishioners. "This is your mission: to witness, with Kateri, that Jesus Christ is at home here in Kahnawake and in each of you."

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .