Born in 1656 at Osserneon (Auriesville), modern NY USA. At Gandahouhague, in the territory of the Mohawks.
Died in Canada in 1680
Canonization is pending
Daughter of a Christian Algonquin woman captured by Iroquois and married to a non- Christian Mohawk chief and warrior of the Turtle clan. At the age of 4, she was ophaned during an outbreak of small pox epidemic, which left her with a scared face, and impaired eyesight. She was then raised by her uncle.
She met some Jesuit missionaries who were not excepted by the natives, so she met them in secrecy.
Converted and baptized on Easter, in 1676 by Father Jacques de Lamberville, a Jesuit missionary. Shunned and abused by relatives for her faith because she would not work on SUndays or to marry.
In 1677 Kateri, escaped through 200 miles of wilderness to the Christian Native American village of Sault-Ste-Maire, Canada. The following Christmas she made her first communion, and privately took a vow of chasity in 1679. at the mission of St Francis Xavier du Sault, called Caughnawaga by the natives. She contributed to the community's economy while engaging in great personal austerties. |
