Lilly of the Mohawks

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Lilly of the Mohawks

Pope Makes “Lilly of the Mohawks” First Native American Saint

Universal Life Church, Lily of the MohawksThis fall, Pope Benedict XVI will dub a First Nations woman a saint. Though with the Universal Life Church you can get ordained no matter your faith or background, this will be the first Native American saint in the history of the Catholic Church.

Kateri Tekakwitha was a young Mohawk-Algonquin woman who lived in Quebec over 300 years ago. Her face was scarred by small pox from a very young age and she was nearly blind. As a Catholic, she was persecuted for her beliefs by her people. She left her tribe on a mission and began working with the sick and elderly. When she died at age 24, her scars disappeared and many in attendance at her funeral were said to have been miraculously healed. Her followers claim she appeared to them in visions and they dubbed her the “Lily of the Mohawks.”

The miracles didn’t stop with her funeral service. Since then, ailing people have come to the site of her tomb to be healed. In 2006 a six-year-old American Indian boy was afflicted by a flesh eating disease when he split his lip by accident while playing basketball. The disease spread from his face to his chest and the prognosis wasn’t good and a priest even administered last rites for the boy. His family prayed to Tekakwitha and it is believed her spirit cured the young boy. The disease halted its progression and after two months and reconstructive surgery, the boy was able to leave the hospital and return home.

After hearing of this incredible story, the Catholic Church sent officials to investigate. They determined the events constituted a miracle. Performing miracles is a requisite for sainthood, and given her record of charity, faith, service, and now miracles, the Pope has declared that Tekakwitha will become canonized.

While some think this will lead to more Native Americans turning to the church, others question if this is an attempt to sweep its history with natives under the rug. There are many examples of missionaries forcing Native Americans into boarding schools, stripping them of their culture, language, and spirituality. It is in response to churches abusing power to exclude and harm others that the Universal Life Church allows anyone to get ordained and perpetuates the idea that we are all children of the same universe. While it may or may not be the case that the Catholic Church is hoping this will smooth relations with Native Americans, the question arises whether it is time to learn from, yet let go of the past. Though difficult, if proper acknowledgment is given to the past, the willingness to forgive is virtuous.

In any event, that the young boy is no longer suffering from a painful ailment is great news. He is slated to meet the Pope in Rome later this year, and wants to become a plastic surgeon to help those who’ve suffered like he did.

Lilly of the Mohawks

Pope Makes “Lilly of the Mohawks” First Native American Saint

Universal Life Church, Lily of the MohawksThis fall, Pope Benedict XVI will dub a First Nations woman a saint. Though with the Universal Life Church you can get ordained no matter your faith or background, this will be the first Native American saint in the history of the Catholic Church.

Kateri Tekakwitha was a young Mohawk-Algonquin woman who lived in Quebec over 300 years ago. Her face was scarred by small pox from a very young age and she was nearly blind. As a Catholic, she was persecuted for her beliefs by her people. She left her tribe on a mission and began working with the sick and elderly. When she died at age 24, her scars disappeared and many in attendance at her funeral were said to have been miraculously healed. Her followers claim she appeared to them in visions and they dubbed her the “Lily of the Mohawks.”

The miracles didn’t stop with her funeral service. Since then, ailing people have come to the site of her tomb to be healed. In 2006 a six-year-old American Indian boy was afflicted by a flesh eating disease when he split his lip by accident while playing basketball. The disease spread from his face to his chest and the prognosis wasn’t good and a priest even administered last rites for the boy. His family prayed to Tekakwitha and it is believed her spirit cured the young boy. The disease halted its progression and after two months and reconstructive surgery, the boy was able to leave the hospital and return home.

After hearing of this incredible story, the Catholic Church sent officials to investigate. They determined the events constituted a miracle. Performing miracles is a requisite for sainthood, and given her record of charity, faith, service, and now miracles, the Pope has declared that Tekakwitha will become canonized.

While some think this will lead to more Native Americans turning to the church, others question if this is an attempt to sweep its history with natives under the rug. There are many examples of missionaries forcing Native Americans into boarding schools, stripping them of their culture, language, and spirituality. It is in response to churches abusing power to exclude and harm others that the Universal Life Church allows anyone to get ordained and perpetuates the idea that we are all children of the same universe. While it may or may not be the case that the Catholic Church is hoping this will smooth relations with Native Americans, the question arises whether it is time to learn from, yet let go of the past. Though difficult, if proper acknowledgment is given to the past, the willingness to forgive is virtuous.

In any event, that the young boy is no longer suffering from a painful ailment is great news. He is slated to meet the Pope in Rome later this year, and wants to become a plastic surgeon to help those who’ve suffered like he did.

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