Native elders gather with archbishop

Archdiocese celebrates the canonization of St. Kateri Tekawitha at Holy Rosary Cathedral

Native elders join the procession for a special Mass celebrating the canonization
of St. Kateri Tekawitha in Holy Rosary Cathedral Oct. 28. Photo: Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic.

Here's Alistair Burns' coverage of the recent celebration Mass in honour of St. Kateri Tekawitha:

The celebration of St. Kateri Tekakwitha's canonization spilled over from St. Peter's Square all the way to Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver Oct. 28. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, said Mass for some 500 people, including dozens of native elders in traditional dress.

"We gather to honour such a noble, worthy woman of faith," the archbishop declared, "no longer 'Lily of the Mohawks': now a 'Lily for All the Nations.'"

Archbishop Miller explained that according to legend, her Mohawk father and Catholic Algonquin mother originally named St. Kateri "Sunshine."

"For the honour of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith, and the increase of Christian life, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha is enrolled among the saints and is to be venerated as such by the whole Church," Pope Benedict XVI announced Oct. 21 during the canonization Mass.

Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.