Pierre Cholenec, S.J. "The Life of Catherine Tekakwitha, First Iroquois Virgin" (1696)

Chapter 10

In the autumn of 1677, Catherine came to live there and in the following spring of 1678, which she had become acquainted with her companion. The first chapel of the Sault was then under construction. One day, Catherine had walked around this chapel and as did the Christian of whom we speak, which was merely to see how the work had progressed. God had planned this unexpected meeting for His glory and the good of these two souls.

They had greeted and spoken to each other for the first time. Catherine asked where the women would sit in the chapel and her companion replied and showed where she thought their place would be. With a sigh Catherine replied, “As it is true, it is not in this material temple God most loves to dwell. It is in us God wants to take up His dwelling place. Our souls are the temples most agreeable to God. But the miserable being I am, how many times having I forced God to abandon my soul in where God should reign alone! I deserve to be punished for my ingratitude and forever excluded from this temple here rising to His glory.” These were the sentiments of profound humility, which were said with tears and words of grace. These words touched Mary Theresa, because she did not expect them and were to her words of life, grace and salvation. And touched through remorse, Mary Theresa soon resolved to fulfill the principal part of the promise that she had made while on the hunt.

Mary Theresa Tegaiaguenta was of a fiery temperament and went to extremes in good or evil. She was strong and strongly built in appearance and was in the prime of her life that is to say, about twenty-eight or thirty years old. She gradually became enlightened while listening to Catherine and believing what she had said came from God. He sent this holy girl, who so much good was spoken of, to aid her in changing her life that she had promised. Then she had told Catherine of her ideas, which they found that their hearts and their plans were in perfect accord. They became friends during this first conversion and one word leading to another that they had then communicated their most secret thoughts to each other. And to talk more easily, they had seated themselves at the foot of a cross near the side of the Great River. They had told each other of their past lives and resolved to unite themselves to do penance.

They had spoken to me of this union, because I was their spiritual director, and asked my approval. I happily gave them my approval and seeing that it would be good for them. And from this time that they had become one in heart and soul, which they were inseparable until the death of Catherine, who after was always in the mind of her companion. Although Catherine did not neglect Anastasia and still occasionally visited her, but Catherine had devoted herself entirely to this second companion, who was more zealous and able to aid her more in her devotions.

They could be seen going to the forest, to the fields and everywhere together. Also, they would avoid meeting with other girls and women. This they did to avoid the unimportant matters of the village and not to cause to turn themselves aside from their devotions. They would speak only of God and the things pertaining to Him. Their conversations were like many spiritual conferences. They had disclosed to each other their lives, desires and slightest trials, which was to encourage each other to remain firm under all conditions and they wanted to give some act of suffering to Our Lord. Also, they went voluntarily deep into the forest several times during the week and they would tear their shoulders with willow shoots, which Catherine had been doing for a long time by herself in her particular manner.

They had consecrated themselves entirely to Our Lord with so much courage of all that they could give in this world. They were more admirable and esteemed than the others, because they lived in innocence and what they did to satisfy for their sins that it was for the love of God.