Today is the memorial of Kateri Tekakwitha. She was the daughter of a Mohawk chief, Kenneronkwa, and a Catholic Algonquin woman, Kahenta. She was born in the Mohawk fortress of Ossernenon near present-day Auriesville, New York.When she was four, Kateri lost her parents and little brother in a smallpox epidemic that left her disfigured and half blind. She was adopted by an uncle, who succeeded her father as chief.
He hated the coming of the Jesuit missionaries but could do nothing to them because a peace treaty with the French required their presence in villages with Christian captives.
Tekakwitha was moved by the words of three missionaries who stayed with her uncle, but fear of him kept her from seeking instruction.
She refused to marry a Mohawk brave and at 19 began her conversion. She was baptized with the name Kateri (Catherine) on Easter Sunday.
Because of this, she was treated no better than slaves. She refused to work on Sunday and, therefore, received no food that day.
Because of her conversion, she was always in danger. On the advice of a priest, she left her village one night and walked 200 miles to a Christian Indian village at Sault St. Louis, near Montreal.
She became an inspiration to many others and she continued growing in holiness. Though her life was never easy, she remained positive and cheerful. When she passed away, it was said that her face took on a beautiful countenance -- all the lines of fatigue, penance, and her early blemishes from small pox disappeared and her face became smooth in death even as a slight smile appeared on her face.
How often are we persecuted for one reason or another?
How willing are we to face and endure the persecution?
Or do we shun persecution and negativity and waffle in our faith?
Hold firm today. The rewards for doing so may never reach us in this life, but the reward certainly is eternal!
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