St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Kateri Tekakwitha was an Indigenous Christian woman whose short life centered on prayer and fidelity to her faith.
- Life
- 1656–1680
- Canonized
- 2012
Life and vocation
Born to a Mohawk father and an Algonquin Christian mother, she lost her parents during a smallpox epidemic. She was baptized in 1676 and later moved to a Christian community near present-day Montreal.
Faith in action
She combined daily work with prayer and chose a life of consecrated virginity. Her story belongs to the histories of Indigenous peoples and Catholic communities on both sides of today’s United States–Canada border.
For readers in the United States
For readers in the United States, this collection includes Elizabeth Ann Seton and Kateri Tekakwitha alongside saints from other parts of the world. Follow the United States calendar for local observances.
This biography is not a liturgical reading. For the observances in your area, consult the local calendar and your diocese.
Explore the local liturgical calendar →Daily Catholic Quotes →Sources and further reading
Sources checked:
Image credit
Father Claude Chauchetière, S.J. · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain. Images resized for this page; social previews are cropped and include text.
Related saints
St. Juan Diego
Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin is the Indigenous lay saint associated with Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Read biography
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
A mother, teacher and religious founder, Elizabeth Ann Seton helped establish Catholic education in the United States.
Read biography
St. José de Anchieta
José de Anchieta was a Jesuit missionary, teacher and writer associated with the early history of Brazil.
Read biographyCarry a little inspiration into your day
Read Bible verses and words from the saints in Catholic Daily.