St. Kateri, fidelity of mind and freedom of spirit

My family’s trip through the South Dakota Badlands and Yellowstone National Park was the first experience I had of not being proud to be an American. Learning more of the history about how Native Americans were treated by the expanding United States was more than disheartening. Growing up in Michigan and now living in Wisconsin where there is rich native heritage, and Catholic missionary history that respected Indian culture and traditions alongside and integrated with the Catholic faith, I have long felt that we have much to learn from First Peoples.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s feast is a perfect opportunity to dedicate some time to reviving a sense of the bridge that her life built between two heritages that have much to offer. Especially in the polarized environment we find ourselves today, politically and religiously, she is a poignant witness. Kateri’s conversion was a moving towards one thing without denying her original identity. Even when she decided to move away from her tribe’s village to live among Catholic Christian converts, she chose to live with other Native Americans at a missionary settlement near Montreal. 

Pope Benedict XVI was asked by author-interviewer Peter Seewald how many paths there are to God. He answered, “As many as there are people.” St. Kateri reminds us that there is no one formula for practicing Catholicism or pursuing holiness, that following our conscience and living in coherence to our amalgamated personal histories will likely result in some conflict and difficulty along the way, but that all of this becomes our path not obstacles on the way. 

St. Kateri, intercede for us today the graces needed to live in accord with God’s truth and love above all, but to have the freedom of spirit and fidelity of mind to integrate our life circumstances into that living.