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Tekakwitha, Kateri, Saint, 1656-1680

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1656 - 1680 April 17

Biographical note

Born in the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) village of Ossernenon, in present-day New York, around 1656, to Kenneronkwa and Kahenta. Tekakwitha contracted smallpox in an epidemic when she was about four years old; her family died and her face was scarred. She converted to Catholicism at age nineteen, took the name Catherine and a vow of perpetual virginity, and moved to the Jesuit mission village of Kahnawake, just south of Montreal. She died on April 17, 1680. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. She is the patron of the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins.

Alternate names

Catherine Tekakwitha, Lily of the Mohawks

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, undated

 File — Box 59, tray: 1, Item: 10
Scope and Contents From the Series: Small personal religious items including badges, bookmarks, commemorative coins, devotional wallets, jewelry, medals, money clips, key rings, ribbons, pins, and travel accessories. Some items were used during prayer, while others mark religious identity or commemorate particular religious events or awards. Many objects are inscribed with "I am a Catholic; in case of an accident kindly notify a priest." Quite a few of the badges are handmade.Objects containing relics, including...
Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: undated

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, undated

 File — Shared_box 4453 (relics), Folder: 3
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Relics in a variety of reliquaries, including badges, crucifixes, devotional wallets, lockets, and reliquary boxes.



Content notice

Some relics include fragmentary human remains.

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: undated