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

Chapter 3

After she was baptized, Catherine had remained a year and a half in her country. Father de Lamberville greatly admired her, because she had always showed the zeal and everyday making new progress in virtue. This was the reason that he had wanted to transplant this flower to a better ground, where it could take root surely and be out of danger of corruption.

The Mission of Saint Francis Xavier existed for some years among the French at La Prairie de la Madeleine, where it was opposite to the island of Montreal. It was only a year before she came that it changed from this place to the foot of the Sault Saint Louis, which it had obtained its name. We were at peace with the Iroquois at the time, because of this peace that many of them came to this place. They came for the restfulness that could be enjoyed in it and they were soon baptized, which they had followed the example of several Huron families already established there. These fervent Christians had led such an edifying life that it was even witnessed by the French. This Mission was a living image of the primitive Church.

The Iroquois came to the Mission and when they had returned back that they were as the many, who speak with praise publicly of the marvels witnessed at the Sault, because of this that it had become the only subject of conversion among the Iroquois. This place had received a great number, who wanted to share the happiness of their fellow countrymen and particularly from among the Mohawks.

On the very day that Catherine had received Baptism, which the Great Mohawk came back to the Mission with thirty Iroquois that he had gained to Jesus Christ. She would very willingly followed him, but she depended as I have said before on her uncle, who could look only with sorrow on the depopulation of his village and he openly declared himself an enemy of those that thought of going to live among the French. It was there that Father de Lamberville thought God wanted to see Catherine.

He had spoken of this to her sometimes, and especially when she came to mention to him the displeasure showed to her from those of her longhouse. After to console her, he would say to her of the peace the Christians lived at the Sault Saint Francis Xavier. A peace, if she was there, which she would find more gentleness in a day than she could enjoy in a year from remaining where she was. God would although soon show her the way.

Catherine had an older sister from adoption and she has for some years been living at this Mission with her husband. Her desire was to have Catherine share their happiness. She had her husband depart so that Catherine would be brought here and with him went also, Ogeratarihen and a Native from the Mission of Lorette. Her aunts had seemed willing that she should go, but her uncle was to be feared from, because he was strongly opposed to these transmigrations that left his country to populate ours. However, Heaven had interfered for Catherine.

They had reached the village, where Catherine was living, with difficulty. Her brother-in-law had informed her secretly of the object of his voyage, which was the desire of her sister that she should be with her at the Mission of the Sault. He had said this praise in a few words.

Ogeratarihen had entered the cabin of the Father and where at once a crowd of people, as was the custom of the country, came to greet this visitor and among them was Catherine. This man seeing that they had assembled before him, which he began to talk to them of Christianity and of the happiness of those that came to live at Sault Saint Francis Xavier. Catherine was touched from those words and as if God had addressed to her the words of this preacher. She sought and told the Father that she was determined to do what he had so often advised her. She had begged him earnestly to take proper measures to restrain her relatives, who wanted to prevent her leave.

He had placed her to the care of Ogeratarihen, who strongly confirmed Catherine in her resolution. At that time her uncle was negotiating with the English at Fort Orange, which they had profited from this favourable circumstance to start their voyage. Catherine had arrived in the autumn of 1677. With a treasure of merit to herself, the splendid examples for us, to the glory of God and for the great profit of the Mission that is, which now she is a powerful protectress against its visible and invisible enemies.