Father Albert preached this morning's homily on the word "princess." His princess illustrations from the Old and New Testament were positive and creative. Of course, the homily was directed towards the princess named the "Lily of the Mohawk," Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.She was born not too far from Founder's Hollow in 1656 of an Algonquian Indian mother who was a devout Christian and a Mohawk chief who remained a pagan. She was beatified in 1980 by Pope John Paul II.
She was brought up in the anti-Christian surroundings of the Mohawk community in what is now Auriesville, N Y.
Kateri held fast to the faith of her mother.
Kateri survived the ravages of the plague, but it left her delicate for the rest of her life. Kateri was persecuted because she refused to give up her Christian way of life. "I want to be a Christian, even though I should die for it," she said.
She was deprived of all food on Sunday because she would not work in the fields on that day. Beatings, continual criticism, sarcasm and mockery were her constant lot. They tried to force marriage on her but she was inspired to remain a virgin and after she became a Christian she took a vow of virginity.
In time, Kateri made her way to Caughnawaga, a community of Christians There she led a life of intense Christian virtue until he death in 1680 at the age of 24. Her renown for heroic sanctity soon spread and many miracles have beer worked through her intercession. Kateri followed the generation of Saints John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions thus bearing out the ancient Christian saying that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians"
In a special way, Kateri has always had a simple influnece on our Community. So strong was her influence that the Kateri Lodge at Founder's Hollow bears her name.
Lily of the Mohawks, Christ's princess, pray for us!
