Born in what is now upstate New York, Kateri was left an orphan at four years old when a smallpox outbreak claimed the lives of her parents and her brother. She survived but the disease left her face pockmarked and her vision damaged. Her uncle and several aunts helped to raise the little girl.
Although her mother had been a Christian, Kateri hadn't been baptized as an infant. She learned of Christianity from Jesuit missionaries when she was 11, an in the coming years felt drawn to the faith. At age 20, she was baptized on this day (Easter Sunday) in 1676. She was given the Christian name "Kateri," the Native American version of "Catherine."
Kateri suffered greatly for her faith. She was often threatened, ridiculed and viewed with suspicion. Finally, with the help of other Christians, she ran away n 1677 to a Christian village near Montreal (a trek of nearly 200 mile) where she led a simple life of charity. She died in Quebec, Canada, on April 17, 1680, at age 24.
On June 22, 1980, she became the first Native American to be beatified (the final step before sainthood). Kateri Tekawitha was canonized a saint on October 21, 2012.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw