Mass in Honor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha

Join Archbishop Paul D. Etienne for a Mass in Honor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha – patron saint of Native Americans and of the environment. Each year, we celebrate St. Kateri at St. James Cathedral near the anniversary of her canonization to honor her role as the first Native American saint. The last miracle for St. Kateri’s canonization took place right here in Seattle. A reception follows the Mass, and all are welcome. 

More about the life of St. Kateri: 

Born in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon (now Auriesville, New York) to a Mohawk chief and an Algonquin woman, she survived a smallpox epidemic that killed her family, leaving her with facial scars and poor health. Raised by her uncle, she was influenced at age 11 by visiting Jesuit missionaries, who inspired her to embrace Christianity. 

At age 20, she was baptized as Catherine (Kateri in Mohawk) and took a vow of perpetual virginity, refusing to marry despite family pressure. Her refusal to marry and her devout life—marked by prayer, penance, and charity—led to persecution in her village. In 1676, she fled 200 miles to the Jesuit mission at Kahnawake (Caughnawaga), near Montreal, where she became known as the “Lily of the Mohawks” for her kindness, faith, and resilience. 

Kateri lived a life of prayer, caring for the sick, and seeking the conversion of her people. She died at age 24 in 1680, respected for her holiness. Her cause for sainthood began in 1932, and she was beatified in 1980 by Pope John Paul II and canonized in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. 

Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seattle.