St. Kateri Tekakwitha Sterling Silver Rosary Centerpiece | HMH

Saint Kateri Tekakwita

Kateri was the daughter of a Mohawk chief and a slave of her father's, an Algonquin woman. The chief married her mother, and they also had a son. Smallpox devastated their village, killing her parents, her brother, and leaving her near blind. She was adopted by family members who pampered her as the princess she was. As she grew, she became a Christian and her fondest desire was to receive Holy Communion. Her guardians decreed she should marry; she refused as she had decided to dedicate her life to Christ as a nun; her refusal was met with abuse. She fled with the aid of another relative, gaining sanctuary with the Christian enclave downriver. St Kateri Tekakwita is the Patron Saint for vision and environment. Saint Kateri Tekakwita memorial feast day is July 14th.