Kateri’s family and herself contracted small-pox when she was four years old. Her parents and brother died, so Kateri was taken in by her uncle and aunt. Even though her face had been permanently scarred, her aunt started to arrange a marriage for her, but Kateri had great aversion to this. Her manner was reserved and shrinking.
In 1667, the Jesuit missionaries brought the Good News to the Mohawks. Kateri received her first knowledge of Christianity, but she did not as at that time asked to be baptized. Even in the midst of the sinful life of her people which included carnage, debauchery, and idolatry Tehawitha lived a life of virtue. She continually resisted effort to induce her to marriage already in her heart, dedicated to a life of virginity.
When she was eighteen, Father Jacques de Lamberville baptized her. This lead to much danger for her in her village. Eventually she was forced to flee from her village. In Caughnawaga, she lived an extraordinary life of sanctity that impressed not only her own people but the missionaries as well. Her mortification were extreme and was said to have achieved perfect union with God in prayer.
Blessed Kateri Tekawitha was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 22, 1980 and her feast day is celebrated July 14th.
