Lillia M. Fisher - Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Courageous Faith (ESS)

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Adapted from a book by Lillian M. Fisher

Illustrated by Barbara Kiwak

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Marsh, Emily.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha : courageous faith : adapted from a book

byLillian M. Fisher / illustrated by Barbara Kiwak ; [adapted for children

by Emily Beata Marsh and Jaymie Stuart Wolfe].

p. cm. -- (Encounter the saints series)

ISBN 978-0-8198-7250-0

1. Tekakwitha, Kateri, 1656-1680. 2. Mohawk women--New York

(State)--Biography. 3. Blessed--New York (State)--Biography I. Kiwak,

Barbara. II. Wolfe, Jaymie Stuart. III. Fisher, Lillian M. Kateri Tekakwitha.

IV. Title.

E99.M8T4585 2012

974.702092--dc23

[B]

2012024524

Book design by Mary Joseph Peterson, FSP

Cover art/illustrated by Barbara Kiwak

Based on a book by Lillian M. Fisher

Adapted for children by Emily Beata Marsh, FSP, and Jaymie Stuart Wolfe

Prayer by Louise Hunt

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

P and PAULINE are registered trademarks of the Daughters of Saint Paul.

Copyright 2012, Lillian M. Fisher and the Daughters of St. Paul

Published by Pauline Books & Media, 50 Saint Pauls Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3491

Printed in U.S.A.

SKCF SIPSKOGUNKYO7-9020 7250-4

www.pauline.org

Pauline Books & Media is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious serving the Church with the communications media.

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The Total Gift

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Humble Healer

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War cries and fierce drumbeats filled the air. The Mohawk warriors had scored another victory, this time over their old enemy, the Algonquins (al-GON-kwins). Caught off guard by the surprise attack, many men were killed. The Algonquin women and children found themselves at the mercy of their enemies.

The warriors led their captives through forests and over lakes, along the trail from the wide St. Lawrence River into the valley of the Mohawks, a two hundred mile trip on foot.

As they traveled, Tsaniton-gowa (dzanee-do-GO-wa), chief of the tribes Turtle Clan, could not help but notice Kahontake (guh-hoo-DAHG-ay), one of the young Algonquin women. He watched with both wonder and respect as she volunteered to carry the heaviest burdens for the older women as they grew tired. This woman was different from the others, and because of that difference she was fast winning the chiefs heart. Tsaniton-gowa did not know that she had learned about the one true God from Jesuit missionary priests. He did not know that Kahontake was Catholic.

When they arrived at the Mohawk village that was called Ossernenon (o-SAH-nehnon), Tsaniton-gowa married Kahontake. She soon adjusted to Mohawk customs. Being the wife of a chief, Kahontake was treated well by the other Mohawks. When God blessed their marriage with a baby girl, Tsaniton-gowa set aside his many worries, war councils, and tribal meetings.

Proudly holding the infant in his arms, he asked, Kahontake, what name should we give our little one?

The new mother sighed. She wanted so much to give her child a Christian name, but Kahontake did not dare to suggest this to her husband. Mohawks did not trust the European settlers, or their religion.

Lets call her Ioragode (yo-luk-O-day), sunshine, she said.

Thats a good name, agreed Tsanitongowa. She is a sunshine to all of us. When she grows older, we will give her a permanent name.

Smiling, he gently placed the sleeping child in her mothers arms and left.

Kahontakes eyes filled with tears. Someday, she said softly, someday the priests, the blackrobes, will pour the water of life on you, my little one. Then you, too, will belong to Rawanniio (la-wa-NEE-yo), the one true God.

Hush! You must watch what you say, warned Anastasia, an older Algonquin woman who loved Kahontake. If you are not careful, all of us who are Catholic will be punished.

Ioragode was her parents delight. As a lively four-year-old, Ioragode followed her mother everywhere. She was full of curiosity and always asking questions. But more than anything, Ioragode loved to hear her mothers stories, especially those about Jesus, his mother, Mary, and the saints.

Mamma, where do the birds come from? asked Ioragode. She had heard the answer many times, but she loved to hear her mother repeat it again and again.

Rawanniio made them, my little one. God made all the beautiful things of this world: the trees, the flowers, the birds, and the river; he made everything. He also made us, Ioragode.

And because he loves us, God gave us a soul that will live forever.

I wish I could see the soul. It must be beautiful, said Ioragode.

Yes, and we must keep it beautiful by not committing sins.

The little girl looked down.

Dont be sad, Ioragode. Even if we sin, Rawanniio will forgive us. He sent his Son, Jesus, to save us.

Jesus is our brother. And beautiful Mary is his mother and ours too! cried Ioragode with excitement.

Yes, little one, and she loves us very much, said Kahontake. But we must keep our love for Jesus just between the two of us, hidden in our hearts.

Yes, Mamma, just between us, the little girl replied.