Tekakwitha

Kateri Tekakwitha was a devout laywoman of the Mohawk tribe who lived in the 17th century. Born in 1656, she was orphaned at a young age and adopted by her uncle, a chief of the Mohawk tribe. Despite facing a childhood marked by smallpox, which left her with weakened eyesight and a scarred face, she developed a deep spiritual life.

Tekakwitha converted to Catholicism in her late teens, a decision that led to her ostracization from her community. She eventually fled to a mission near Montreal, Canada, where she lived a life of prayer, penance, and charitable works. She was known for her exceptional piety and devotion to her faith, often spending long hours in prayer and fasting.

Her life was characterized by hardship and sacrifice, but she remained steadfast in her religious convictions. She died at the young age of 24 in 1680, and her reputation for holiness grew significantly after her death. Many attributed miracles to her intercession.

In 1980, Pope John Paul II beatified Kateri Tekakwitha, recognizing her heroic virtues and granting her the title "Venerable." She was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, becoming the first Native American saint in the Catholic Church. She is revered as the patroness of Native Americans and those who have faced adversity for their faith.