Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

I was born in 1656 in North America. My parents were Native Americans, belonging to different tribes. When I was a young child all my family died of smallpox. I survived the illness, but was left with scars in my face and it affected my eyesight. When I was 18, a Catholic missionary came to my village and preached about God. Most members of my tribe didn’t want to listen to his preaching, but I began to follow instruction in the Catholic faith and was later baptized. At the age of 20, I moved to Canada. I became known for my holy way of life, which I spent teaching and taking care of people. I died at the age of 24.