Growing up, she was greatly influenced by the Jesuit missionaries that were present in that area of upstate New York. The Jesuits were hated by the Native Americans but they but could do nothing to them because a peace treaty with the French required their presence in villages with Christian captives. Hearing the words of the Jesuits about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith, Kateri converted to the faith, after refusing to be given in marriage to a Mohawk brave. Shortly after her baptism at the age of twenty, she moved to the Saint Francis Xavier mission near Montreal.
Because of her love of God she took a vow of virginity. Central to her life was to be pleasing to God. She had a deep prayer life that centered on love of God, and being pure in His sight.
It took a great deal of courage for Kateri to embrace the Catholic faith. It could have meant death since she was rejecting her heritage as a Mohawk. But she found faith in Jesus Christ and was willing to suffer persecution rather than to turn away from her faith in Christ.
Are we as brave as Kateri in our faith in Jesus Christ and our Catholic faith? Are we willing to share this faith with others, no matter what the cost? Faith in Jesus Christ is more than just a personal relationship with Him. We are called to bring that faith in Jesus Christ to others in our lives. We are to live the gospel of Christ and allow Christ to effect our life in all we do. It's more than just attending Mass on Sunday morning. We are called to live our faith that we profess on Sunday during the week that follows our Sunday worship.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha pray for us!
Thank you, Tom, for the very informative and most inspiring articles presented in your blog. They definitely guide and fulfill the desires of all of us who daily seek the will of God through his gifts of faith, hope and charity; enriching our souls with the same purity and modesty which characterizes that of St. Kateri.
ReplyDeleteBlessings in Carmel.
From my friend Arlene Muller: Very good blog post. I agree that being a Catholic Christian is much more than Mass on Sunday, as essential as Mass is. I agree that it means our relationship with the LORD impacts every area & every day of our lives & that we are called to live the Gospel & proclaim the Gospel by the witness of our lives & our words.
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