Késsinnimek - Roots - RacinesMon Petit Coin by Norm Léveillée
Version française
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Conclusion - Last Article
Translated from
La Vie gracieuse de Catherine Tekakwitha
by Juliette Lavergne
Second Part - Tekakwitha at La Prairie
This is the seventh and last article in the series from the work of Juliette Lavergne's La Vie Gracieuse de Catherine Tekakwitha. I will translate the final Chapters XII to XVI.
Chapter XII - The Last Wing Flutters of Aigle
Like so many others who came before him to the mission, Aigle was received with a sincere friendship by honest and truly Christian souls.
The missionary came to warmly greet the famous Mohawk captain.
Étoile-du-Matin (Morning Star) took care of him like a devoted sister.
Meanwhile Pied-Léger (Lightfoot) and the Huron, realizing the seriousness of the wound so deep and painful, infected by dust, the lack of care, the rubbing of clothing of the carefree Indian, spoke of this to the missionary Father.
The latter succeeded in getting Aigle to allow himself to be taken care of. But it was too late... or perhaps, who knows? maybe Aigle had exchanged a promise with the Great Spirit of Tekakwitha...
For several weeks now while living with Pied-Léger, he had observed attentively and curiously with more interest the manner of life among the converts. He listened in silence the words of the Black Robe, but he did not miss one word! At times, he followed the others to the chapel. Meanwhile, little by little, he could feel a strange pain stiffening his vigorous and supple limbs. A shadow often covered the eyes in Aigle's look. An extreme lassitude finally forced him to lay down for hours on a mat near the entrance of the longhouse.
Everyone realized sorrowfully the progress of pain with this brother who had come so far to be near them. The missionary requested prayers for this noble soul searching for love and light.
Tekakwitha knew why the chief had come.
The young girl offered to God this love bestowed on her with nobility and devotedness. She asked, in return, the salvation of this soul whom she loved with recognition and sincerety of a young loving sister.
Aigle had understood near the cross of la Prairie, what separated her from him here on earth, he had suffered, then finally had accepted the sacrifice... But in return, he had asked the Great Spirit who took Tekakwitha from him, a quick death in her presence. God answered. He took the life of the great warrior and asked him thus the double sacrifice of his hate and of his love. God answered... He would bless and bring unto Himself the peaceful and baptized chief.
When the supreme hour arrived, Tekakwitha spoke to Aigle for a long time and with tenderness.
He tilted his head and crossed his arms in silence. He could no longer stand up unless held up by his devoted hosts: the Huron and Pied-Léger. The priest came; it was the sacred hour. Aigle, with his titles of nobility and grace, added the most beautiful of all, that of the son of the Great Spirit.
The people of the mission were hurrying into the longhouse and around the dwelling in order to participate in the touching ceremony of baptism of their new brother.
Aigle appeared to be in meditation. His movements so often tense because of the suffering had brought back their peaceful beauty. He was not moving at all.
Étoile-du-Matin (Morning Star), with an inquisitive look, questioned the missionary.
He understood and tilted his head. No, the chief was not dead, but by praying, he had entered into a calm agony.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes. He was looking for Tekakwitha. She approached and knelt near the dying man. He wanted to place his hand on the head of the young girl, but he did not have the strength to do so. Thereupon, very gently, she placed her forehead on the hand of the Iroquois, with the affectionate gesture customary with Indian girls toward their fathers or their older brothers.
When she brought up her pure face, Aigle had ceased to live. He had with a proud flight fled toward eternal Peace.
Chapter XIII - Unforseen Romance
The arrival and the impressive death of Aigle, the young and brillant Iroquois chief from the shores of the Mohawk river, had strongly interested and touched the little colony of La Prairie.
Tekakwitha often went to pray at the tomb of her faithful friend. She would be seen with the same calm and gentle expression. She appeared to be plunged into peaceful meditation rather than into profond sorrow. The young girl had truly believed with all her heart that the soul so right and generous of Aigle was in heaven, finally happy and forever. She thanked God to have allowed the Christian death of the great warrior. She kept a fraternal and grateful memory of her protector.
She was returning one day from that part of the forest where Aigle was buried, when Étoile-du-Matin (Morning Star) came to meet her and, grasping her affectionately by the hand, she took her toward the tomb of the chief.
---May my sister listen to me, she said gently. I have spoken with the Father, I have spoken with Pied-Léger (Lightfoot) and to our good sisters, Anastasia, Marie-Thérèse... Aigle wanted to marry Tekakwitha and the Renard (Fox) wanted it also. They were pagans and my sister had reason to refuse them. But all Indian girls must take a husband.I know of a young Christian Mohawk, fervent and respected by all here, who has been looking affectionately for a long time at our dear and little sister Catherine.
The latter was so surprised at this so unforseen subject that she remained speechless.
---I understand, continued Étoile-du-Matin, that my sister speaks only of God. But that is not usual for us, Indian women, to only pray. God wants us to follow the example of our mothers and He blesses our family if we are good Christians. The Father, did he not tell us that?
Tekakwitha, silent, appeared to be paying attention.
---Who then, she asked, after a few moments, who has raised his eyes to look at poor Catherine with a pochmarked face (Ed: caused by smallpox), always busy working without ever going with the other young girls to laugh and sing?
Completely happy and believing to have interested the young relative, Étoile-du-Matin answered eagerly:
It is the son of my best friend, a relative of Pied-Léger, a marvelous hunter, a true Christian, completely devoted to the missionaries. Coureur-des-Eaux (Running Water) is young, handsome and brave. He found the girl with the pochmarked face to be pious, modest, and even beautiful! Therefore, my sister need only to wish it.
Tekakwitha was thinking... Maybe she was praying instead?
---May I see Coureur-des-Eaux (Running Water) and speak with him, she asked seriously.
---But of course! My brother is waiting near here, a few steps away, exclaimed the good Iroquoise, filled with joy.
And quickly, she went to fetch the young man who, in effect, not far from there, was waiting the result of the enthusiastic and optimistic approach of the excellent Étoile-du-Matin.
Chapter XIV - The Interview
The young man who needed to marry a young girl, chosen more often by the parents or presented to his parents by those of the future wife, was confined to waiting for the convenient day for his entrance into the longhouse of his parents-in-law, without speaking to his fiancee.
However, there were some rare exceptions. This was the case with Coureur-des-Eaux.
Brought up to date with the graceful approval of Tekakwitha by Étoile-du-Matin, he, happy and confident, introduced himself to the young Iroquoise.
---My sister wishes to speak with me? he asked.---Yes, Tekakwitha gently answered. Coureur-des-Eaux (Running Water) is good, he is wise, he loves the Great Spirit and the Missionary Father knows how generous he is. He will understand what I am going to say.
Astonished, a little intimidated and worried, the Indian looked at the young girl. Tekakwitha stared at the sky for a long time then showing at her feet the tomb of Aigle:
---He who is there, she said in a serious tone, he who is there, was young also, he was brave and always listened to even among the Elders. He never returned having been defeated, never with empty hands... Aigle was a great warrior... He protected Kateri against those who wanted to marry her, Renard... He helped Tekakwitha to escape so that she could belong only to the Great Spirit. He loved poor Tekakwitha ... and he let her be free, because he loved her so.---Therefore, Aigle did not love my sister, exclaimed angrily Coureur-des-Eaux. He would have allowed her to pray as much as he wanted, but he would have made her consent to marry him, with sincere words.
---My brother, replied the young girl firmly, Aigle so loved Tekakwitha that he sacrificed her to the Great Spirit. And Tekakwitha is happy because God converted and received Aigle in heaven because he was so good and generous.
Coureur-des-Eaux had an impatient gesture and his voice trembled with emotion:
---My sister loves another warrior!...---No! never would Kateri be the wife of anyone. She is simply the humble daughter of the Great Spirit.
Then, seeing an expression of deep sorrow on the face of the loyal and good young Indian, she had pity.
---Tekakwitha, she said gently, is going to pray a lot so that God gives to my brother Coureur-des-Eaux, so brave, so generous and so Christian, a wise and devoted wife, the joy of his eyes and of his life. Go, my brother! the Great Spirit will give happiness to whoever listens to Him!
With head lowered, really sad, Coureur-des-Eaux returned to the village, not knowing if he should attempt to speak once more with the young girl. But involuntarily, he brought up the image of the dying Aigle, baptized and his face transfigured with joy, and Tekakwitha kneeling near him. He seemed to hear the young Mohawk woman tell him with emotion:
---Aigle loved the poor Kateri and he allowed her to be free, because he so loved her...
He also remembered seeing Kateri often in prayer, so meditative that she appeared not to be a girl of the earth. Therefore, he returned to his longhouse and kneeling, he prayed until the Great Spirit had appeased his agitated and sorrowful heart.
During this time, standing, leaning on the cross mounted on the tomb of Aigle, Tekakwitha prayed for those who loved her so much here below, so that they become blessed brothers up above.
Chapter XV - Two Heroines... Two Saints...
One day, Anastasia, Marie-Thérèse and Tekakwitha were working and chatting all three together.
After having touched upon a variety of subjects of interest to all of them, they began to speak about their little students of the mission, of their progress in virtue and in religious science.
---I really like the sister, who, at Ville-Marie, speaks of the Great Spirit to the little white girls and those of our nation, Marie-Thérèse said all of a sudden.---I believe that she is a saint, the missionary Fathers also think that, added Anastasia. At Ville-Marie, everyone listens to her and loves her as if she were their mother.
---I have seen her often. She spoke to me with such gentleness that I would have liked to have stayed for a long time, a long time to listen to her...
---Is it Sister Bourgeoys of whom you speak? questioned Tekakwitha with much interest.
---Yes, my daughter, answered Anastasia. Other Sisters live with her now. Father Chauchetière told me that they are called the Daughters of the Congregation, and that they are consecrated to the Virgin Mary. In Ville-Marie, we say: Our Lady - Notre-Dame.
These things appeared to be marvelous to the girl of the forest. Suddenly, she experienced a great desire to know these virtuous white women and their admirable work. She, who had at a young age given to God her person and her life, she felt, it seemed, the need to study in other select souls, this superhuman thing: sanctity.
---How happy, mother Anastasia and you also Marie-Thérèse to have seen Sister Bourgeoys! Will you speak to me more of her?---But it would be better if it were she herself that you listen to! exclaimed Marie-Thérèse cheerfully. I am going to Ville-Marie tomorrow with Anastasia. Do you want to come with us? We will go see Sister Bourgeoys.
Tekakwitha, full of joy, clasped her hands.
---See her... the daughter of the Great Spirit! I! I, the poor Iroquois girl, with so little!---Well then, concluded Anastasia laughingly, Marie-Thérèse will tell Sister Bourgeoys: "Here is a very miserable child! She must be converted by your prayers". Tekakwitha will humble herself and then will have a beautiful smile for the dear sister who is so good and who receives everyone with gentleness and charity!
And thus was decided for the next day, the trip of the three faithful friends to the city of the Virgin.
Meanwhile, at the last minute, Anastasia had to give up her plan to follow the others. The charitable woman would stay at the mission to assist an old, dying Huron woman.
Early in the morning, Marie-Thérèse and Kateri left, one with a joyous eagerness, happy to see again the Sister that she loved so, the other with an emotional curiosity, already filled with respect by dreaming about what this white woman had said, God's worker, Messenger of the light (Laure Conan).
The two women who were going to see each other for the first time, had no inclination that one day they would be written about by calling them: two heroines, two saints, and that they would find themselves, such a long time afterward in a providential manner in Rome where their two names would be spoken of with the hope of future canonization.
During the trip, Tekakwitha did not cease asking Marie-Thérèse a thousand questions on the manner of life of the Daughters of the Congregation and of the virtues which they practised.
They spoke also of the "Hospitalières" - the Nurses of Jeanne Mance, those devoted heroines who appear rather to be angels on the Canadian soil instead of simple women. Miss Mance had been dead for five years already. Catherine thought that she would have loved to see her also.
Then all the while chatting, they reached the end of their trip. They were before the foundress of the Congregation of Notre Dame!
Marie-Thérèse, having a lot of things to accomplish in Ville-Marie, left her young companion with Mother Bourgeoys.
To her great pleasure, the latter was able to chat for a long time...
It seems that right away the two women understood and loved each other.
For many years already, Marguerite Bourgeoys lavished on the young colony, the inexhaustible riches of her devotion and of her charity. Alternately, teacher of white girls or of Indian race, comforter of Maisonneuve as well as of the colonist families, guide of young girls and young women, consoler of all suffering, blessed aid in the many ordeals which the inhabitants of Ville-Marie encountered, everywhere in a word, she was found where there was a tear to be wiped, a counsel to be given, a misery to be relieved. Did she not go so far as to bring her bed to a soldier who was suffering cruelly from the cold during a particularly rough winter!
This teacher so appreciated, this delicate woman, with a refined distinction, did, with the concern of a big sister, the mending and the laundry of the soldier's clothing.
Catherine became aware and recognized how much Marguerite Bourgeoys took care of Indian girls. She who listened on her knees to the catechism lessons of the Missionary, she was happy for the conversions already obtained and of the beautiful blossoming of Christian life promised as a result of prayers and devotion.
Now, while Mother Bourgeoys revealed to the Indian child a new world a thousand time more beautiful than the one being searched for by the great discoverers, Catherine, herself, had written without a doubt, one of the prettiest pages of our religious history!
The religious woman knew very well the souls who would be most interested in the touching and candid virtue of the girl of the forest. She had heard people speak of her on many occasions. She listened, attentive and touched, the naive proposals of Kateri. Maybe she had the premonition of the extraordinary destiny of the humble Iroquoise so admiring before her!
Time passed and the two heroines would have wanted to prolong their meeting... But duty called Mother Bourgeoys elsewhere and Marie-Thérèse just returned to reclaim, with a fraternal smile, "her little Kateri".
The latter spontaneously allowed herself to kneel before the religious woman who stood up to dismiss them.
Mother Bourgeoys understood the silent prayers of Tekakwitha. She shook her head and smiled.
---It is not to me that you must ask this, she said. Go ask the Missionary Father that he bless you in the name of God and of Our Lady!---Oh! yes, my sister is right, but, humbly implored Catherine, but if my sister wanted, she also...
Marguerite Bourgeoys leaned toward the little Iroquois still kneeling. She took, in her hands, the head so deep in meditation. She looked at the candid eyes for a long time, features hollowed by suffering, the long vigils, fasting... gently, she brushed with her lips, with emotion and respect, Tekakwitha's forehead.
---May God and Our Lady watch over you and bless you, she said ...
Then gently raising the young girl, she added:
---Ask them that they bless and watch over Ville-Marie... and also the poor Marguerite Bourgeoys.
They would never see each other again, here below.
Chapter XVI - The Lily Loses Its Petals
A great Dominican was speaking one day about a person who died prematurely:
Everything blossomed at the same time and everything blossomed quickly in this soul which time and eternity provided a hurried life.(Lacordaire)
This was to be so for Tekakwitha. She was more and more frail. Her sweet, emaciated face revealed the weakness growing in the body so severely treated, mortified to an unimaginable degree even right up to the last moments of her existence.
The hour was to toll soon when the little Kateri would not be able to leave her longhouse to drag herself to the chapel. She spent long moments prostrated on the ground, so absorbed in her prayer that she never saw the presence of people discreetly curious coming to the chapel in order to contemplate her during her prayers. They would leave regretfully but inevitably, because she prolonged her meditation for such a long time near the tabernacle that they were obliged to leave before her.
At times, the sun's rays would warn her that the day had begun. She noticed then that she had spent the night in the humble chapel. She smiled as she dreamed that very soon there would be happiness for her in death. She would not have to come looking for the presence of the Great Spirit. She would be with Him, forever, up above.
Candidly confident, the girl of the forest possessed this filial love, so humble and so ardent at the same time that there is nothing known of our fears maybe so justified of eternity.
We would like to cite here the testimony of one of the two Missionaries who never ceased to admire so much the virtue allied to such a graceful simplicity.
She usually prayed with her eyes and heart, he said. Therefore, she appeared to be motionless and completely withdrawned from within. Her prayer was accompanied with such celestial gentleness that she spent many hours in succession in these intimate communications with her God.
He adds still edifiying details of the life of our young heroine:
She treated her body, at the Sault, with such severity that it would be difficult to find elsewhere such great innocence with such austere penance. (Pierre Cholenec)
Does it not seem that "so much penance" in effect, added to this exquisite candor, can obtain the most precious blessings for the proud Iroquois and Algonquin nations, and many graces for the entire colony?
The little Indian girl was interested in Ville-Marie. She had only gone through it once and yet she had left behind there profound and precious friendhsips. For the entire New France, she was a blessing and a grace.
One night, her faithful companion, Marie-Thérèse gently ordered her to come rest in their longhouse.
---My sister can no longer do this, she said both scolding and tenderly. Please, Catherine, one must sleep and rest! My sister is going away... she prays for too long a time!
Tekakwitha clasped her thin hands together with a fervor filled with joy.
---I am going! she said softly. I am going! How happy I am! God, the Virgin Mary, my mother so gentle, Fleur-de-la-Prairie, my Father the great chief so handsome, so good... He so loved his little daughter! Oh, I am so in a hurry to see them, to go to heaven, my sister Marie-Thérèse!...---Oh, well! Catherine will not go to heaven; she does not listen enough! stated the Indian severely. One must obey to go above, that is to rest, to eat and to ill treat one's poor body less. The Missionary said that to Kateri.
Smiling, this one allowed them to bring her there. The Priest, during his visit to the patient, ordered her to rest and follow orders and the good care of the devoted Marie-Thérèse.
The winter of 1680 was particularly a rough one. The cold was intense and the plentiful snow did not ease the temperature. The forest was transformed into a sort of enchanting palace of ice with drapery of dreamy color, with frosted pillars.
Catherine had to remain in the longhouse. Meanwhile she spent hours on her knees meditating or saying her inseparable rosary.
Each day, the Missionary came to see her and often he brought children to her to cheer her and so that she may edify them. They knew how much the little girls and boys of the mission loved her. Her patient and joyful kindness continued to attract them to her. The young patient continued gladly to tell them beautiful stories. The lives of the saints filled them with wonder, while Tekakwitha herself was a living prayer next to them. She spoke with them so much and so well, despite her state of lassitude and great weakness, that hours passed and the young band would not leave unless gently protted to do so or picked up by their mothers at mealtime and bedtime. What precious lessons must have fallen from the lips of this saint! And among her small listeners, how many became admirable Christians, consolation of the Black Robes and magnificent examples for their white brothers!
She was almost beautiful, Tekakwitha, such were her suave expression and her calm, delicate features.
Her "blanket" placed like a religious veil on her beautiful, well braided hair, her large eyes with a profound look, the smiling curve of her lips, all this forming a graceful and touching ensemble.
All the inhabitants of the village came one by one to visit the young patient.
Then, very gently, her strength declined unceasingly. Catherine was finally moving toward her eternity so desired on her part.
The blessed days of Holy Week began, the state of Tekakwitha worsened as well. On Holy Tuesday, she weakened so much that everyone knew that she would not last very long on earth. Marie-Thérèse warned her gently of this fact. Kateri appeared to be completely transfigured with joy.
At that moment the desolate Coureur-des-Eaux passed furtively by the longhouse, hesitating about entering but wishing to see again, for the last time, the young girl. Marie-Thérèse asked him to go get the missionary Father. Before leaving on his mission, the Indian came and knelt near the dying patient.
---My sister, he said humbly, I beg of you because of the sacrifice that I made for you one day, to ask the Great Spirit that I remain always faithful to my faith!
Tekakwitha leaned her head with a smile then with her hand, she pointed toward heaven.
Everyone who had loved her, by their love had been brought to the faith and the sacrifice of their human dreams for the happiness of the one whom they loved.
She received the Viaticum surrounded by relatives and friends.
There was a curious custom at the missioon. One of Catherine's biographers tells us that
