Meaning & Origin
Kateri Tekakwitha, also known as Catherine Tekakwitha or Kateri, was a Mohawk–Tuscarora woman born in 1656. She was born into a Christian family, but her mother died shortly after her birth, and her father remarried and raised her as a pagan. She was later influenced by the Jesuit missionaries in her community and embraced Christianity. Kateri is known for her purity, courage, and faith.
Spiritual meaning
Symbol of purity and faith.
Language details
Kateri
Pure, chaste, and clean, symbolizing moral integrity
Pronunciation & Numerology
Pronunciation
kah-TEH-ree
/kɑːtɛri/
Lucky number
9
Lucky day
Saturday
Lucky colors
Life path
6
Lucky stone
Amethyst
Cultural & Spiritual notes
Kateri's life story is a testament to the assimilation and interaction of different cultures during the colonial period in North America. Her legacy as the first Native American woman to be canonized (1980) represents the successful blending of Christianity and indigenous traditions, making her an inspiring figure for both Native American and Christian communities.
Kateri's faith and devotion are deeply rooted in both her Christian beliefs and her Native American heritage. She is an embodiment of the beautiful convergence between spiritual openness and a steadfast commitment to God, as well as a symbol of hope, courage, and perseverance for all believers.
Historical references
Kateri was born in 1656 in a Mohawk village in present-day New York. Her given name was Tekakwitha, which means 'she who bumps into things'. She was orphaned at a young age and adopted by a Christian family. She was baptized Kateri Tekakwitha in 1676, taking on the name Catherine of Siena in honor of her patron saint.
1656-1676
Kateri lived a very ascetic life and devoted herself to God. She spent hours in prayer and meditation, fasted frequently, and wore a hair shirt beneath her clothes. She cared for the sick and the dying, and was renowned for her holiness among the Christian community. Kateri died in 1680, at the age of 24, in a small cabin near her Iroquois village.
1676-1680
Notable people with this name
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