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

Chapter 11

In this manner, from day to day that God had fortified Catherine Tekakwitha and prepared her soul for the great trial that she had to pass this summer. It was a trial touching something very sensitive to her, but from the grace of Our Lord that she had come out victorious. And as it is one of the most beautiful passages in the story of her life, which I believe is pleasing to say it here and interrupting this history of her life.

Her adopted sister had acted as the mistress of the cabin and pretended through right of age to have authority over her, because she regarded her younger sister in a worldly manner. She had tried to persuade her to marry for the purpose that she could be to her than the own good of Catherine. Catherine was held in such a great esteem throughout the village, because of her wisdom and piety that there was not a young man, who would not have been content to agree to such a marriage, which considering himself fortunate to have found such a good wife. If her sister succeeded in her plan that it would be of great benefit to the family, because among the Natives that it was the custom to give all what the husband brought from the hunt for the women of the cabin.

She had foreseen great difficulty with Catherine, who that she knew to be adverse to marriage. She had ignored the persecutions, which this generous girl suffered in her own country from the same thing and the faithfulness with she had prevailed over them. However, she had hoped to gain her over on the strength of the reasons, which she had prepared and resolved not to be dissuaded, but was either to gain her consent or would press her in the matter.

One day, she had taken Catherine aside with a seemingly affectionate and gentle manner. This the reader will not find difficult to believe and if he knows that the Natives are clever and have a good sense, which they are naturally eloquent and especially when they have a point to gain. She had said, “It must be admitted, my dear sister, you have a great obligation to Our Lord for having brought us from our miserable country and leading you here, where you could work for your salvation in peace of mind without anything to trouble your devotion. If you are content to be here, I am not less content to see you here with us. Increase this happiness from your wise conduct, it will come on you the esteem and approval of the entire village. There is just one thing you could do that will make me entirely pleased with you and yourself perfectly content, to think seriously of establishing yourself from a good marriage. This is the course followed here from all the girls. And you are of a marriageable age and need it even as the others to remove you from the occasions of sin and supply you with the necessities of life. It is a pleasure for your brother-in-law and me to provide you, as we have done before now, but you know he is getting old and we have a large family. If anything should happen to us and we could not aid you from where would you get the aid? Believe me, my dear sister, you should place yourself beyond the possibility of the pains of poverty for the good of your soul and body. And have the thought to avoid them while you are able to do so easily for the advantage of yourself and your entire family, who desire it.”

Catherine was strangely surprised from the discourse of her sister that she did not expect, because Catherine was very honest and had a great respect of her sister, which she did not show the pain this caused her and she had even thanked her of her good advice. And she further said that as the affair was of such a great consequence, which she wanted to think of it over.

This courageous virgin was not offended, but she eluded the first attempt and immediately had sought me to complain a little of her sister to tell me of the entire affair. Then I had said, “Catherine, you are the judge in this matter. It depends on you alone and think of it well, because it is a concern of a great moment.” She had immediately replied and without hesitation, “Ah, my Father! I will not marry. I do not like men and have the last aversion to marriage. The thing is not possible.” And as to have ascertained and to try her more, which I had continued with upon the strong reasons that her sister presented to her. She had assured me with great firmness in her reply. She said, “The poverty I am threatened with does not scare me, because so little is needed to give to the necessities of this miserable life and my labour could provide for it and I could always find some rags to cover me.” Then she returned to the cabin, but I had assured her that she was doing right. Catherine did not tell me everything in this conversion. In her own mind, she had already decided her course. It could be said that she was already perfect in her present condition, but she was not content, because her predominating passion was to search always what was right in our holy religion and anything that would make her more pleasing to God. She had said to herself in the depths of her heart, which there was something over and above the common life of the Sault.

She had even learned and I do not know how, which there were some persons that performed extraordinary penance. And she said to her companion, which the Missionaries had kept this hidden from her. She had some knowledge of the Evangelical Counsel and a beautiful example of their practice in the Religious Hospitalers Sisters of Saint Joseph. In 1678, Catherine visited Montreal, where she had seen holy virgins in a hospital and they were waiting on the sick with admirable charity and modesty. After having surely considered all these things, which Catherine and her companion had agreed never to marry. Catherine had dedicated to God her virginity and the other her perpetual widowhood. They had kept this decision a secret and resolved not to speak of it, but when absolutely necessary. However, Catherine had found she could not assist herself on this occasion, because of the pressing insistence of her sister.

After she had returned to the cabin, her sister pressed her again with these words, “Have you thought over of what I told you lately?” She replied, “I have! And if you want me to have respect and love you as my sister, never speak to me like that anymore.” This chaste girl wanted to silence her sister and place an end to her annoying persuasions, which she had told her that she renounced marriage and asked to be allowed to live as she was. And for the rest, she said that she had enough clothes to last her a long time and would work to feed herself without being a burden to her sister or anyone in the village. Catherine’s sister was deeply moved from this answer and replied, “My sister, how did you form such a strange resolution? Have you thought seriously of what you are doing? Have you ever seen or heard say of such a thing among the Iroquois girls? Where did you get this strange idea? And could you not see that you expose yourself to the decision of men and temptations of the demon? How could you expect to accomplish what no girl among us has ever done? And forget these thoughts, my dear sister, do not trust your own strength, but follow the custom of the other girls.” Then to all of this, Catherine replied without emotion, which she did not fear men to speak to her in a derisive manner as long as she had done nothing wrong. She had hoped that God would give her the necessary strength and especially to overcome all the temptations of the demon with she was threatened, because her resolution was already taken and she again begged her not to speak of it any more.

It is true, this woman did not want to speak of it again to Catherine, but she told Anastasia, who had taken the place of a mother for the two of them. She had presented her arguments and to have Anastasia to her side. The affair seemed even stranger, because there was no precedent for it, which had appeared difficult and almost morally not possible for Catherine.

It is certain that several girls of her age had tried to restrain themselves from marriage after her death, but they found it difficult and admitted that they had not the strength to overcome temptation. The most they could do was to remain widows even though young and in renouncing a second marriage, which at least to have some small part in Catherine’s crown.

Anastasia was a wise woman and regarded all these reasons with fear. She thought that Catherine had taken this resolution lightly and with too much precipitation, which she would regret it in the future. Anastasia had done all in her capability to change her decision, but she did not succeed any more than the other. She pressed her with such an insistently that Catherine had replied to her in a voice more firmly than usual, which if she thought highly enough of marriage that she would enter the life, but Catherine had wanted to hear nothing more of the matter and no man would mean anything to her.

They had separated and came immediately to me, Anastasia to complain of her daughter and Catherine of her mother. The younger reached me first and told me of the suffering caused from her mother and sister, who they had wanted her to marry and that she found it was not capable to obey them. And to have relieved her of her suffering and settle the matter, which I had told her to take three more days to consider the subject. She should pray earnestly during that time and recommend her trouble to Our Lord. Also, I would unite with her in prayer and she should attach closely to whatever God inspired her after the three days. Although I had reminded her that she was her own mistress in an affair of this sort and the decision would always rest with her alone. Catherine agreed with this plan, but the Holy Spirit had influenced her strongly and in less than a quarter of an hour that she had come back to search for me.

I was surprised to see her returning a moment after to tell me and all inflamed, which she could not live any longer in a situation of indecision from a choice that she had made a long time before. She said and while coming near me, “It is settled! It is not a matter to consider and my part has long before been taken. No, my Father! I can have no other spouse, but Jesus Christ. I have considered myself content to live in poverty and misery for His love.” I will admit here that in good faith, which I had wanted to say nothing to Catherine to determine her in this affair, because among the Natives that there were so many things opposed to it. I preferred to let God influence His servant directly, which all would be successfully concluded and her inspiration came from Him. It was plain to me from her last words that God spoke from the mouth of Catherine. And again, He had inspired in her a decision so heroic.

I finally had taken her part, I praised her resolution and encouraged her to persevere with the same fervour that she began. I had assured that I would defend her against the others. And the other Missionaries or I would never abandon her or let her be in want of anything.

I could give assurance that from these few words, which I had removed the soul of Catherine from a strange Purgatory and placing her in a sort of Paradise. At that moment, she had truly entered into the joy of the Lord and began to feel in the depths of her soul a peace, rest and contentment so great that her exterior became quite changed. It was seen that this peace never left her until her death, which from that time nothing was able to disturb this peace. And this peace was an evident sign that the spirit of God had possessed her. She had thanked me warmly and she left as the most contented person in the world. I was filled with admiration, veneration and of an extraordinary joy for her, because it was so heroic of a design. She had the courage to attempt this heroic act, which seeing that the divine goodness had prepared in this first Iroquois virgin such a beautiful model of sanctity on this earth and an influential advocate in Heaven.

She had no sooner left me, which Anastasia came to make her complaint and saying that Catherine did not want to marry, although she was of a marriageable age. I replied her coldly, because I was astonished that she wanted to torment Catherine about a matter, which had deserved such praise. Anastasia, who had been a Christian and for such a long time, did not opened her eyes to the beauty and merit of such a saintly resolution. And far from objecting that if she had any Faith, she should esteem Catherine even more to feel contented and be honoured, because God had chosen a young girl from her cabin that to raise the banner of virginity among the Natives and teach them this sublime virtue that made men like Angels.

A more sudden change could not be thought and Anastasia seemed to have awakened from a profound sleep, which she had blamed herself of her conduct. She would take the correct view of Catherine’s attitude. Anastasia was very holy and had admired, praised, encouraged and looked upon Catherine as already a Saint. After this, Anastasia was always ready to support Catherine in the life that she had chosen as the better part. She had done more, because she inspired Catherine’s sister from the same sentiments. Then the two of them had regarded her with greater respect and with a sort of veneration. They had left her in peace and with an entire liberty to do, as she wanted in the future. Our Lord had turned this persecution to the glory and to the good of His great servant, which was to make known that He was the only Author of this resolution and unprecedented among the Native girls.