January 15, 2012. (Romereports.com) The first canonization of a Native American woman has been approved. Her name is Kateri Tekakwitha, but she's also known as “Lily of the Mohawks” and the patroness of American Indians. Last December, Benedict XVI cleared the way for her canonization, after a miracle was attributed to her.


The case deals with a young boy from Washington State, who was hospitalized for several months, after being diagnosed with a flesh eating disease. His case was serious, until his parish priest, asked his family and their parish to pray for the intercession of Kateri. Soon after, the family says, the boy began to heal without any medical explanation.

The blessed was raised in what's now New York. When she was just a toddler, she suffered from small pox, which left her face severely scarred. She survived the illness, but her mother, father and younger brother didn't.

She became a devout Catholic at the age of 20. But after converting she was faced with threats from her tribe. She fled to Canada, where she dedicated her life to prayer, penance and also to caring for the sick.

She died at the age of 24 in the year 1680.  But centuries later, her life and legacy are still remembered.  

Her Feast Day is officially celebrated in both the U.S and Canada.

Now, Benedict XVI could canonize her as early as October 2012. The young boy she allegedly cured, will be a special guest at the ceremony.


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