Késsinnimek - Roots - RacinesMon Petit Coin by Norm Léveillée
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Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Article VI
Translated from
La Vie gracieuse de Catherine Tekakwitha
by Juliette Lavergne
Second Part - Tekakwitha at La Prairie
This article will be the sixth in a series of articles based on the work of Juliette Lavergne's La Vie Gracieuse de Catherine Tekakwitha. This translation will encompass Chapters VI through XI. I will conclude the series in the July issue with the last five chapters of her work.
Chapter VI - The Radiance of Kateri
At dawn of the next day, Tekakwitha was on her knees to pray to God to thank Him again for her coming to this little corner of Christian land where it would so great to live! The women smiled upon finding her so happy and so grateful. They were guessing what precious help would be theirs in the longhouse, this young girl already attentive to give them pleasure, attentive to the care of the longhouse, giving, from the very first moment, of herself to the daily chore of the women as if she had always lived with them. They respected this newcomer who was so lovable and so graciously reserved.
Anastasia had a class of little children to whom she was teaching catechism. She quickly enlisted Catherine's help. Young, sweet and smiling, this one did not hesitate to have enthusiastic friends within this curious and excited little world.
The Indian mothers of the mission enjoyed hours of peace and gossip when the groups of children followed their friend Catherine of the Mohawk.
She taught them to create pretty objects for the family longhouse or to sell to their "white brothers". She showed them how the Mohawks of her tribe made necklaces, and all kinds of jewelry. And she never missed an opportunity to tell them which was the most beautiful of necklaces, that of the rosary beads.
Kateri, one day, related a bit of her story to a young and attentive audience. She told them, how, still very young, she learned from her mama Fleur-de-la-Prairie, to make various embroidery and jewelry. Showing them with great emotion his rosary of simple wooden beads --- the one that she always wore --- she added that the most precious of jewels is that of the Virgin, the rosary beads.
---I would have none other, concluded Catherine. I even said that to my dear mother, when I was still very little .... little like you, Oiseau-qui-Chante (Singing Bird), you the youngest of all you who are listening to me so well!
Immediately, there was a general rush, each wanted to have the right number of wooden beads and promised to always wear around one's neck the "necklace of the Virigin".
At times, Anastasia came by to surprise the charming group.
Gladly, she became aware of the beneficial influence of her young friend on the mission children. She was especially astonished at finding a true missionary in the person of this recently baptized child.
Catherine took on voluntarily the most tiring and the most boring chores, at the Saint Francis Mission, just as she did along the shores of the Mohawk river. In this manner did she still go each day to fetch the provision of water so necessary to the longhouse of Étoile-du-Matin (Morning Star). She soon discovered near the river a place that reminded her of her rustic oratory of the other Kahnawaké. She went there daily for three years, and when she died, she was enterred there for some months, just as she had predicted to many people. (Ed: see below)
As she had done near the spring over there, she carved, in a young maple tree, a cross which she drew at the place where she knew she would be coming every day, a few feet from the river, facing the Héron.
Tekakwitha looked with pleasure at the charming countryside of Mont-Royal, framed in azure and green foliage in summer, all white and bright during the beautiful winter days. She listened to the roar of the "rapids". She loved to see the water leap, hurling itself noisily, clear or foamy white. She remembered her past filled with suffering, but also having been taken care of by divine protection and filled with precious graces.
She dreamed of the missionary so good himself, over there. She saw once more the beautiful stature of Aigle. She dreamed emotionally of those souls who had highly and divinely loved her. The young girl kept a very sweet memory of them.
From the Black-Robe, she asked for the conversion of the still pagan and hostile Mohawks. For her faithful friend, the Great Chief with noble gestures, she dreamed of baptism and apostleship. She knew how much good Cendre-Chaude (Hot Ashes) and Kryn, the great Mohawk chiefs who had become converts, had accomplished among them. Aigle was worthy to compete one day with his brothers, in zeal and generosity.
Beautiful maple trees bordered the Laurentian shore. Soft white birch surrounded Tekakwitha's cross with their soft grace s. In summer, wild flowers with their bright and varied colors brightened the forest greenery. In winter, the snow and the frost glistened the countryside.
Catherine found that she was profoundly happy within these surroundings of calm beauty.
One day, two young girls found her in this locale, the open air so delightful that they were astonished at this.
---My sister loves it here? asked the younger one, who especially loved her.---Oh! yes, answered Tekakwitha enthusiastically, and so much that one place, when I die, they will place my body here, at the foot of the cross and near the singing waters! (Ed: see below)
---But, surprised, the older of the two young girls asked, they have never buried anyone here?
Tekakwitha smiled and, with her friends, took the road home again without any further references to the future.
However, in effect, when the hour came for burial in the blessed earth of the mission, the missionaries, not knowing the prediction of the young girl, decided to bury the corpse of Catherine here at the foot of the cross, at the exact spot where she often came to meditate and pray.
Tekakwitha had seen what was to takeplace two and half years later!
(Ed: Ste-Catherine-de-la-Prairie)
Chapter VII - What The Women Said About Kateri
The year 1678 was one of the most pleasant. The season ended in beauty and light. The temperature was mostly warm and sunny. Also, the people did not spend much time in the dark and smokey longhouses. Charming groups of young girls, women and children brightened endlessly the forest with shouts and laughter.
Skillful and lively, all the while talking with gestures and cheerfulness, they worked, embroidering, threading beads for their multicolored jewelry, preparing pelts for sale or trade, carving tree bark, into graceful shapes into which the Indians did not dare to confront the tumultuous rage of the "rapids".
Our workers chatted unceasingly and would stop volontarily to better exchange ideas.
---Where is Kateri? asked, all of a sudden, a small child with an alert expression? She is going to tell me beautiful things about the Mother of the Great-Spirit when He was little like me!---Kateri! Of course, cried out one of the young girls, she is in the chapel, she is always there!
---She also goes often, said one other, to pray before the great cross which she erected near the river.
---She always has her rosary beads in her hands, added one of the young girls. I want to be like my sister Kateri. She is so good for the little ones like us!
---It's true! She took great care of our little sick girl, that she practically cured her as soon as she started to care for her.
---How does she do it to pray like this all day and even at night?
---Does she work some in the longhouse? asked an elder Indian who seldom left her mat because she was so old and weak.
---Oh! yes, answered Tekakwitha's neighbors as a group. She does more work than all of us despite her prayers.
---As for me, because of Catherine, Father scolded me, said a mischievous young woman while laughing. I'm not that well disposed to work like the good Kateri! Élan (Elk), my spouse, finds that I am lazy! for, I was praying for a long time in the chapel. One day, the missionary Father made me speak to him and told me "to pray less in the chapel and to do so in the longhouse while working".
---But, I answered Father, Kateri works and still prays for a long time in the chapel!
--- Then Father answered me in this manner:
---No one works more or better than Tekakwitha. She prays as she works and even when she is too tired for chores, or still while all of you are resting, chatting and dancing! She doesn't have your devotion to leisure. She is not devoutly lazy and stubborn who is in the chapel instead of doing housework!---My sisters, I fully understood what Father meant ...
Everyone started to laugh mischievously.
---Catherine always takes on the most arduous work.
---She always takes on the chore of getting water since it is far, heavy to carry and no one likes to go there.
---And finally, Anastasia gravely concluded, who just came into the group, that she always places a cross where there is water to fetch. She is alone with God in these places. I once saw her praying there! I thought that she had gone to heaven because her face was so pure and beautiful when she was speaking to the Great Spirit. My sisters, let's be quiet because here comes Catherine toward us.
In effect, this one came with a peaceful and light pace and headed toward the pleasant chatting. She greeted them gracefully, caressed the children who stumbled to encircle her, then sitting in the middle of the little ones, she spoke with a very sweet voice:
I am going to speak to you of Jesus' mother, but come quickly! Tekakwitha still has a lot of work to finish this evening in the longhouse!
And, while the children listened to the gospel story related by their saintly little Mohawk sister, the women, attentive and meditating, paid strict attention so as not to miss any of the precious words flowing from the lips of the best among them!
Chapter VIII - First Communion
Each night, one or the other of the two missionaries would see the thin shadow of Tekakwitha in a corner of the chapel. She, deep in meditation, appeared not to see nor hear anyone passing by her.
She filled the entire mission with wonder by her ardent piety and, nevertheless, God knows if they were devout at that time in the young colony!
The young Iroquois woman increased prayers and penance, believed sincerely all the same "so unworthy ... a great sinner"! So much so that she did not dare to ask for that which she had dreamed with all her heart: to receive her first communion.
Yet, she finally confided in her faithful friend Anastasia who hurried to tell Father Cholenec about this. He assured her that he would think about it and render an answer shortly to the young girl.
The two missionaries met together regarding Catherine.
---Hasn't she been baptized only two years ago?" asked Father Chauchetière of Father Cholenec.---Precisely, she received the grace of baptism on Easter Sunday 1676. Here we are in autumn, Father. The poor child aspires with all her soul to receive communion. Don't you think that such a virtue merits the ideal great joy?
---For sure, I have never met a young girl so angelic?
---Therefore, we could, at Christmas, receive her at the Holy Table. The Indians come to the mission in great numbers and from everywhere, on that day. Some French also attend our ceremonies. What a touching example of loving faith and of humility they would find in our holy little Mohawk!
Upon learning the happy news, Tekakwitha experienced such great happiness that she could not find words to express it. Her look, radiating joy and recognition, as well as her words allowed the missionaries to understand the state of the soul of the young girl.
The mission Indians, men and women, except a few rare exceptions, prepared themselves with joyful activities for the start of the great winter hunts. Meanwhile, no one wanted to leave before Christmas. For nothing in the world would these brave people wanted to miss the religious duties on that day.
In the year 1677, they gathered together at the mission in greater numbers than ever.
All, upon learning the news of the admission of their young compatriot to first communion, hurried to congratulate her affectionately. And each, as they did in the past for her at the Mohawk, brought what was most beautiful, most precious to decorate the humble chapel.
It would be who among the women would offer something to the first communicant for her festive preparation. But she, strongly graceful, asked them for their prayers instead of clothing "to decorate her poor soul so impoverished", which made them smile. She assured them that she would be well dressed in the most simple as possible. They left her free to do what she wished.
She approached then the altar with a modest grace, veiled as usual with her blanket made in the Indian manner, without jewelry or ornaments of any kind. Her dress was the most simple that Anastasia could find. Marie-Thérèse, her best friend, had combed and braided her long black hair. Then, she had placed around Kateri's neck a medal of the Virgin given as a souvenir to the communicant by one of the missionary Fathers.
She held in her hands, joined together, the rosary beads which she fondled unceasingly, which indicated that she hardly lived without this pious object given to her little daughter by the poor Fleur-de-la-Prairie.
So much happiness radiated from the sweet face of Kateri by which all the attendees were profoundly moved. Never has Christmas appeared so impressionable. Everyone felt that they had to imitate the fervor and the meditation of the first communicant of this blessed day.
The very next day, more docile and more devout than ever, Tekakwitha sacrificing her taste for a calm and meditative life, followed her own in the great deserted and frozen foresst. The winter hunts had begun.
Chapter IX - Near The Singing Water
After the unforeseen departure --- for the family! --- of Tekakwitha, the unrest among her own was great, as they thought it was... There were cries, tears and anger.
The aunts, having nothing more to say to each other, nor to their neighbors and friends, finally ended up by going to the missionary, Father de Lamberville. They complained about the conduct of their niece.
---Is this how the girls directed by the Black Robes must act! asked one of them in anger. Without being the least distracted, the Father spoke to them for a longtime softly and firmly. There were recriminations on the part of the two women. Then, little by little, they became calm, they appeared to go along with the opinion of the reigious: awaiting patiently the return --- if it happened --- of Tekakwitha; to accept it if she no longer returned ...---Didn't she wait on you like the most devoted child? asked Father.
---Oh yes, assuredly!
---Since she left, we noticed that we do more work inside as well as outside.
---She answered only with a gentle smile.
---Hey! said the missionary, see what she did for you. She amply gave back to you what in the longhouse you did for her. And now, answer me frankly. Did you really take care of her when she was weak and suffering? Were it not at times the poor people, your slaves of war, Christian Algonquins and Hurons, who took care of her, helped her, consoled her? Did you not make her feel quasi dead with grief this unfortunate child by wanting to force her to marry he who had advantage over others, and this, without ever asking if the future spouse was a wise and good man? Was it the christian girl, or the pagan women who acted in the better manner in this affair?
Loyally, they answered.
---We acted wrongly!---Then, leave Tekakwitha where the Great Spirit will guide her footsteps. May he watch over her and continue to make her perfect. She will be for you, one day, your benefactor, in heaven, up there!
In this manner, the incident was ended for the two aunts. Little by little, they tried very hard to calm the spiteful anger of the Great Chief, which was not an easy task!
One of the two women met Aigle at the entrance to the forest, near the fountain where so often came the young girl. The water was clear, brillant under the moonlight. It was singing. Thus Tekakwitha had seen it, had come to listen to it. But Kateri would never come again perhaps near the singing water. The aunt was dreaming of these things when she met Aigle. She was surprised to find him at this place where he didn't come regularly. Meanwhile, she was happy to be able to ask him certain things.
---Aigle, she pleaded, let my brother speak! Do you know where our niece is? I believe that Aigle had helped at her departure...
The chief stopped and looked for a long time at the woman who was questioning him.
---What does my sister want? when did Aigle do something which could have displeased the tribe? When did he cause harm to his own?---It is true that Aigle is the wisest, the greatest, the best of our own... But I know that my brother has a secret. If Aigle, once day, sees the young girl again...that he tells her that never will we hunt for her and that her aunts love her a lot.
Was it a trap that this extremely shrewd one was setting up, he knew it, and whose nastiness was well known?
Once again, keeping his mask of haughty impassiveness, he looked intently on the face of the old Indian. He believed that she was sincere this time, and in effect, she was. She was offering, humbly, her best, as a sort of hommage of repentance and of tardy recognition of the departed girl, for always, and whose absence she felt now with sadness.
Meanwhile, he thought that he was prudent in being wary.
---Yes, let my sister believe it, he stated gravely. If I see Tekakwitha again one day... I will tell her what my sister wishes her to know, my sister and the women of the longhouse. I said ... but will I ever see "Biche-Légère" (Light Doe) he murmured as if for himself, his features suddenly hardened.
And with an impatient gesture, he dismissed the pensive woman.
---Does he know nothing? she asked herself. I think that he himself wanted her as a spouse. But she fled so quickly, so far, that he was not able to find her... Despite the fact that no one equals the running of the young chief! What Aigle wants usually happens. There was nothing to understand in all of this.
While the Iroquois was trying in vain to resolve this difficult problem, Aigle retraced his steps and assured himself that there was no one there around the fountain. The wooded infinity was deserted. Then he leaned on the long cross which had been raised, near the singing water, by Tekakwitha of the Mohawk...
The season was beautiful and the night brillant. It was sprintime, and the awakening of all the graces and beauties of the american forest. The tiny and new leaves were swaying in a pretty waving murmur. Some birds dwelling in the distance were going and coming with bustle, looking for shelter for the night or trying to find their little nests freshly made for the new season.
Aigle listened and looked. The beautiful sky radiant with stars and his dream in the night reminded him of Kateri's departure. Thus he stayed up, leaning against a tree, in the night, with love and nevertheless, with what suffering in his heart also, on this flight of the one whom he loved lost forever to him.
And now, this joy in the renewal, this debut of all things around him, cruelly reminded him of another time, concealed in the undergrowth, he had looked intently upon Tekakwitha, at the same place where he was at the moment. Tekakwitha with a gracious attitude, so calm, so meditative...
She had taken her provision of water. Then she had prayed for along time at the foot of the maple cross. Then, she also, had seen the arrival of springtime. She had smiled while listening to the birds. She had gathered some leaves from one of the great maples. She had soon let them fall, like she had let all things fall.
Then she had taken up her prayer again. There was some unknown so pure, a beauty so immaterial on the face of the young girl an instant free of her inseparable blanket that he was almost frightened by it. Vaguely, he understood that something mysterious, sacred, always prevented Tekakwitha from being like the other Indian women.
Kneeling suddenly near the cross, Aigle murmured with a sort of respect mixed with fear:
---Great Sprit of Tekakwitha, give her to me and I will be, like she, christian if you so wish it.
Thinking of his malicious reply, one day, to Kateri:
---My sister has never found that I am intelligent enough to understand the things that she knows! He smiled:---Aigle, said she, will probably one day understand!
And becoming again serious and calm, he returned to his longhouse.
Chapter X - Through The Woods
We said it, right after Christmas, that the great winter hunts began for our Iroquois of the mission. They headed happily across the immense white and glistening forest. They appeared to be playing hide-and-seek around the rigid and frosted trees. These men who appear gigantic gave the impression of an incredible gracefulness while running, sliding, jumping on snowshoes, armed with rifles or flexible bow and arrows. The women at times followed them afar with much skill and liveliness. What abundance of game hid this incredible, deserted immensity of the American forest! There were bear, beaver, fox and wildcat, porcupine, caribou, deer and elk.
For three or four months, these children of the woods relived delightfully a part of their errant, adventurous life of the past. They dreamed of it long before the event took place.
It was, wrote one of Catherine's biographers, for our Indian converts, instead of wars which they no longer wanted, a delightful life pursuing wild animals considered like enemies in flight. They also found rich pelts which they traded with the Europeans for arms and ammunition. The hunt also provided the first of their pleasures, good meat. It was affluence.
Tekakwitha, frail and so volontarily sedentary, would have prefered to stay at the mission. She sacrificed much by leaving behind her dear chapel, her "oratory" at the foot of the maple cross, her long hours in prayer. Meanwhile, she knew how useful she would be for her young relative, Étoile-du-Matin (Morning Star), by following her into the woods. At the mission, she was happy and free to act as she pleased, without it showing. On the hunt, they lived in small groups. She had to do like the other women. How could she isolate herself there? She was unaware of it. But she was so devoted and so self-sacrificing, that she did not hesitate to sacrifice her tastes for the love of her neighbor.
The missionary Father taught it was a good thing to encourage Tekakwitha to leave the mission temporarily.
---You will have moments to rest, for long chats, he said. Especially, the hunt will obtain what you need, more comforting food.
Tekakwitha shook her head with a smile. But she continued and added politely:
I will gradly follow Étoile-du-Matin (Morning Star) and Pied-Léger (Lightfoot).
And the departure took place joyously in the village, with noisy activity. Only the elders, the sick, the youngest children stayed home and some women to take care of them.
That year, the hunt was exceptionally a happy occasion for the Indians of the Prairie. Everyone was in a good mood. The agreement among the converts was perfect, but, it must be noted, that there were many among them who once were of enemy nations and tribes. It was their marvelous Christian spirit which accomplished this miracle: to create a brotherhood among past sworn enemies.
Tekakwitha found a way to live these winter months far away from her dear mission, as if she were still there. She was ingenious at creating jobs which forced her to be often alone and quiet. Yet she continued, through wondrous finesse and charity, to give her finest aid to Étoile-du-Matin and even to the other women of the mission.
Thus the months of cold and snow went by. Springtime announced its coming through an agreable temperature that was more and more gentle. They had to hurry to return if they wanted to take advantage of the snowshoes which would inhibit travel on the melting ice. And especially, the proximity of Easter did not leave these sincere converts insensitive whose frank piety often astonished their missionaries. They never missed returning for Holy Week and their participation in the religious services was constant.
Kateri returned joyously. She had no doubt what would take place for her at the mission.
Chapter XI - The Sacrifice of Aigle
The hunters of the Prairie returned home therefore for Palm Sunday, whose impressionable ceremonies deeply touched the soul of Tekakwitha. She spent a good part of the night in prayer.
At dawn, pale and sad, like there it always was during Holy Week, the village still asleep, Kateri huddled herself in her blanket and headed toward the river, taking up again, upon her return, her dears habits of prayer and work.
She knelt for a few moments at the foot of the cross. Then, having taken her supply of water in a sort of bowl made of bark, she was ready to return to her longhouse.
A light noise, close to her, made her turn around. She uttered a cry of surprise and of joy. Aigle was before her! Aigle always splendid in stature and attitude, but visibly changed and aged.
---Aigle! cried out the young girl. My brother has come to seek out the Great Spirit in the mission!
The chief smiled with melancholy.
---Maybe! he said simply.
He looked at Kateri for a long time... She had not yet understood nor guessed the secret of her friend.
---"La Biche-Légère (Light Doe)", he murmured.
Then with a quick gesture, unhooking from his belt hair recently scalped, he threw it at the feet of the young girl.
---Renard lived, he said.
Tekakwitha shivered:
---My brother killed him!
A prideful joy relaxed the strongly tensed features of the Indian.
---I wanted to follow my sister, he answered after a few moments of silence. I left, but not alone... I knew it, Renard spied on the least of my gestures, listened to all my words while hiding in the undergrowth, followed my trails in the forsest, shadow behind my shadow. Aigle know that the great battle was soon to take place. He awaited with joy for the hour of vengeance. Renard made Tekakwitha cry. Renard also killed the young brother of Aigle...
An expression of hate and profound sorrow tensed the proud features of the Iroquois. He stiffened and continued slowly.:
---I left... The Spirits guided mine. I turned my head just at the moment when Renard jumped next to me. I killed him!...---Aigle never bowed down under anybody's blows. But I no longer count how many scalps of my enemies' head. Never has Aigle hit anyone from behind. His strength and his courage were sufficient to receive before him the weapon or the arm of the striker. I frustrated the cunning and the jealous hate of Renard. And my sister has seen this!
Tekakwitha remained silent, her serious gaze on the bloody scalp...
Then raising her eyes toward Aigle, she saw on this one's shoulder a horrible wound which just appeared from a movement of the Indian.
---My brother is hurt! she cried out in dread. Let him come quickly to the longhouse. All of us will take care of you at my brother Pied-Léger (LightFoot).
Aigle raised his shoulders with a bitter smile.
---Aigle will not take care of it. He would now like death to come quickly! His last enemy is dead and ... there is no one to love him and to receive him in the longhouse.---Let my brother come, Tekakwitha said softly but strongly. Aigle is my brother, and everyone in the mission will surround him with respect and care!
The Iroquois hesitated a few moments. Then bending down, he picked up Renard's scalp.
Tekakwitha joined her hands and looking directly at Aigle:
---My brother likes "Biche-Légère (Light Doe)" a lot? Let him prove himself one more time! The great river is there nearby. The water rumbled, it is terrible today. Here, near the cross, everything is gentle, pray and sing... It is the same in the mission. Let my brother throw in the rumbling water this scalp and let him forget... Then let him come to Pied-Léger (Light Foot).---Never! never an Iroquois warrior, a great chief, would do these things! the Indian cried out in anger and he turned around abruptly to move away into the forest.
Tekakwitha knelt at the foot of the cross and began to pray with deep fervor.
Stunned at not having received a response, Aigle turned his head lightly as he left. But he stopped immediately with a striking deafness. This scene of the young girl in prayer produced such an exact duplicate of which he had dreamed in his nostalgic reveries, which so distressed him. A sacred emotion clutched his heart. He reflected, his face ravaged with doubt, temptation, suffering!...
Kateri always prayed, motionless and so "distant" that one could have believed her to be an angel, rather than a simple little Indian.
And all of a sudden, with an inexpressible nobility of action and look, Aigle walked toward the river and slowly, in the leaping and multicolored foam, he threw Renard's scalp. Then retracing his steps, toward Kateri, he stood up to his tall height and crossed his arms. He put on again his haughty and impassive mask.
The young girl smiled and with a gracious hand gesture, she showed him the village whose longhouses encircled the chapel. A lively brightness gave life to the countryside. The village awoke and life was soon to begin, filled with prayer, work, calm happiness in each family.
---Tekakwitha, Aigle said seriously, I am coming with you to your brother!
To be continued...
Permission to use this work was requested from Fides in an email dated 22 Jan 2005. Response dated 31 January 2005 indicated that the contract for that era needs to be searched.
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