1656-1680+Kateri+Tekakwitha

=Kateri Tekakwitha= -1656-1680 - also known as Blessed Catherine Tekakwitha - honored by the Catholic Church as the patroness of ecology, nature and enviornment. - born in Osserneon, now known as Auriesville, New York - smallpox attacked her village and killed her family - the sun almost blinded her. - helped her aunt work in the fields. Despite her poor vision, she was skilled in beadwork. - not baptized as an infant, she had memories of her good and prayerful mother and the stories of the Catholic faith her mom shared with her. - went to the woods to speak to God - when she turned 18, Father de Lamberville, a Jesuit missionary came to Caughnawaga and established a chapel - fascinated by the new stories she heard of Christ and wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ. - following Easter, she was baptized and was given the name Kateri - Her family didnt accept her being a Christian sp she was an outcast in her village - family refused her food on Sunday's becausae she didnt work - children would taunt her and throw stones at her - treatened with torture or death if she didnt renounce her religion - 1677, left her village and fled to the catholic mission of St France, Xavier at Sault Saint Louis - 1677, Christmas Day, she recieved her first holy communion - March 25, 1679, she made a vow to remain unmarried and devoted to Christ for the rest of her life.

http://conservation.catholic.org/kateri.htm