As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, we might particularly reflect on God’s hand at work on the history of this nation. We can see this especially in the lives and labors of the Saints. I will briefly list here a few of the Saints who labored to bring the faith and build up the Church in this nation.
The North American Martyrs (d. 1646): St. Isaac Jogues and his companions were some of the earliest missionaries to bring the Catholic faith to the Native Americans, and were martyred in their efforts.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha (d. 1680): A young Mohawk Native American woman, who converted to Catholicism at a young age and witnessed to the beauty of the Catholic Faith to her Native American peoples. She consecrated her life to Christ and is called the “Lily of the Mohawks.”
St. Junipero Serra (d. 1784): A Franciscan friar and missionary who worked to establish the missions along the west coast of California. He labored much to bring the Gospel to the native peoples there, and would stand up for them against some of the oppression by some of the Spaniard colonists.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (d. 1821): A young widow from New York who, after the death of her husband, converted to Catholicism. Eventually, in Maryland, Elizabeth herself started a religious order of nuns dedicated to care of children and the poor, the first religious order founded in the United States.
Bl. Pier Toussant (d. 1853): A Haitian-American hairdresser and barber in New York, he became and influential philanthropist and did much to support care for the poor and the work of the Church in New York City.
Our Lady of Champion (1859) – In Wisconsin, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to young Belgian immigrant woman named Adele, and said, “I am the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same. Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation. …Teach them their catechism, teach them the Sign of the Cross, and how to approach the Sacraments. Go and fear nothing. I will help you.” This inspired Adele to gather other women in the area to travel about and teach and build up the Catholic faith in that region.
St. Francis Xavier Cabrini (d. 1917): An Italian nun, who came as a missionary to America, who began missions for the poor (soup kitchens, homeless shelters, orphanages, hospitals), all across the United States and all over the world.
Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk (d. 1950) – A member of the Lakota Sioux, who converted to Christianity in his adult life and became and active catechist, traveling and teaching the faith to his fellow Native Americans.
St. Katherine Drexel (d. 1955) – St. Katherine Drexel founded a religious congregation in the United States to serve the poor, especially Black and Indigenous Americans. Her mission work took her to the south and western United States, where she founded many missions and schools, including some of the first black Catholic Schools and universities.
Peace,
-Fr. Kevin
