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Kateri: A Beacon in the Wilderness
1660 - New France is a howling wilderness.
Smallpox devastates a Mohawk village, scarring and half blinding a four-year-old survivor. Now an orphan, the girl earns her keep by making embroidery and wampum belts.
Despite war and massacres around her, she resolutely follows her convictions, refuses to marry and comes to deeply embrace Christianity.
A young French Jesuit, Claude Chauchetier, has one glorious mystical experience of God which he can never replicate. Despairing, he chooses the hardship of missionary work only to be disillusioned by its harsh realities. Claude is astounded by Kateri, in whom he finds faith in its purest form, a powerful faith that will not be stilled by death and continues even now.
The amazing story of Kateri Tekakwitha, our first Native American saint.
Smallpox devastates a Mohawk village, scarring and half blinding a four-year-old survivor. Now an orphan, the girl earns her keep by making embroidery and wampum belts.
Despite war and massacres around her, she resolutely follows her convictions, refuses to marry and comes to deeply embrace Christianity.
A young French Jesuit, Claude Chauchetier, has one glorious mystical experience of God which he can never replicate. Despairing, he chooses the hardship of missionary work only to be disillusioned by its harsh realities. Claude is astounded by Kateri, in whom he finds faith in its purest form, a powerful faith that will not be stilled by death and continues even now.
The amazing story of Kateri Tekakwitha, our first Native American saint.
294 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2021
123 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Jack Casey
14 books18 followersJACK CASEY is an attorney who has handled civil, criminal and constitutional matters for thirty years in his solo practice. In HAMILTON’S CHOICE, Casey dramatizes the last three years of Alexander Hamilton’s life, and plausibly explains why he went to his first and fatal duel. Casey’s newest release, INTO THE HEARTLAND, is a sweeping saga of adversity and triumph around the building of the Erie Canal (1810–1825). His other published historical novels are LILY OF THE MOHAWKS and THE TRIAL OF BAT SHEA. Casey graduated with honors from Yale University and Albany Law School, and has studied literature at Edinburgh and Cambridge Universities. He lives in Troy, NY and Raleigh, NC with his wife and editor, Victoria.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 30, 2024
A very little-known saint.
I'm ecstatic that I took a gamble and ordered this book, because it's not only a very good historic novel, but also one of the very best books I've ever read - without exaggeration.
This is the biography of St. Kateri Tekakwatha, the first Native American saint, canonized by pope Benedict XVI in St Peter in 2012. The video of her canonization mass is available on YouTube.
Let me be blunt: when I saw the book itself, this paperback with a mediocre print on its cover, I immediately thought: "Erm… what is this? It almost looks like a self-published book". But little did I know, the writing is masterful, both in the beauty of the phrasing and in the conciseness of the style. And it's gripping! Out of 280 pages, there was not one that moved slowly. You can feel very deep historic research throughout, and a genuine love for this little-known saint.
I also loved:
- the way in which the beauty of the landscapes and the natural ways of the Native Americans are portrayed.
- the comprehensive historic view that the author chose to give the book, focusing not only on Kateri and her life, but also on the lives of other Native Americans and of some French Jesuits, both in the American mission and back in France.
Who was Kateri?
Kateri Tekakwitha, baptized as Catherine, and informally known as Lily of the Mohawks (1656 – April 17, 1680) was an Algonquin – Mohawk. She was born around 1656 in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon in Northeastern New York state. During one of the many smallpox epidemics of those years, her whole family contracted the virus and died. Somehow, she survived the smallpox virus, although the nasty virus left scars all over her body and face and damaged her eyes. She was not blind but had serious eyesight issues for all her life. In fact, "Tekakwitha" means "she who gropes her way" due to her poor eyesight, a name given to her by her adoptive family in the Turtle Clan, who didn't seem to have great affection for her.
This shy and humble woman, who died at 24, spent the first 18 years of her life mostly in her uncle Cold wind's long house, perfecting her skills of embroidery and wampum-weaving (in which she excelled).
Shy and silent though she may have been, she had a very strong Mohawk will-strength, and against great pressure, she refused her uncle's command that she marry.
She converted to Catholicism when she was 19, when she first heard about it and fell in love with Jesus. She took a vow of perpetual virginity, left her village, and moved for the remaining five years of her life to the Jesuit mission village of Kahnawake, just south of Montreal.
Here she met with Fr. Claude, who then became her first biographer. Their connection was immediate and strong. Fr. Claude recognized Kateri's mysticism and devotion, but it seemed to me that he was most of all struck by her extraordinary strength of spirit, something that shook him to his core. It was fascinating to read how, while he guided her through higher levels of Christian spirituality, she was the one who taught and supported him, for the most part.
I found it very realistic that, in this book, the Jesuit priests come across, overall, as weaker personalities than the Native Americans.
The facts narrated come from the journals of the Jesuits who knew Kateri, and a few more documents, like letters, but not much more.
Her purity and holiness inspired people during her life, and even more after her death. She inspired me, for sure.
On the gravestone of this spiritual daughter of the martyrs was written this epitaph: “Kateri Tekakwitha, Ownkeonweke Katsitsiio Teonsitsianekaron,” “The fairest flower that ever bloomed among red men.”
This is a historic novel of the finest quality. It's also a beautiful, realistic, non-sugar-coated, well-written and very moving account of one of the most beautiful souls who ever lived. Thank God for having gifted her to us.
I'm ecstatic that I took a gamble and ordered this book, because it's not only a very good historic novel, but also one of the very best books I've ever read - without exaggeration.
This is the biography of St. Kateri Tekakwatha, the first Native American saint, canonized by pope Benedict XVI in St Peter in 2012. The video of her canonization mass is available on YouTube.
Let me be blunt: when I saw the book itself, this paperback with a mediocre print on its cover, I immediately thought: "Erm… what is this? It almost looks like a self-published book". But little did I know, the writing is masterful, both in the beauty of the phrasing and in the conciseness of the style. And it's gripping! Out of 280 pages, there was not one that moved slowly. You can feel very deep historic research throughout, and a genuine love for this little-known saint.
I also loved:
- the way in which the beauty of the landscapes and the natural ways of the Native Americans are portrayed.
- the comprehensive historic view that the author chose to give the book, focusing not only on Kateri and her life, but also on the lives of other Native Americans and of some French Jesuits, both in the American mission and back in France.
Who was Kateri?
Kateri Tekakwitha, baptized as Catherine, and informally known as Lily of the Mohawks (1656 – April 17, 1680) was an Algonquin – Mohawk. She was born around 1656 in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon in Northeastern New York state. During one of the many smallpox epidemics of those years, her whole family contracted the virus and died. Somehow, she survived the smallpox virus, although the nasty virus left scars all over her body and face and damaged her eyes. She was not blind but had serious eyesight issues for all her life. In fact, "Tekakwitha" means "she who gropes her way" due to her poor eyesight, a name given to her by her adoptive family in the Turtle Clan, who didn't seem to have great affection for her.
This shy and humble woman, who died at 24, spent the first 18 years of her life mostly in her uncle Cold wind's long house, perfecting her skills of embroidery and wampum-weaving (in which she excelled).
Shy and silent though she may have been, she had a very strong Mohawk will-strength, and against great pressure, she refused her uncle's command that she marry.
She converted to Catholicism when she was 19, when she first heard about it and fell in love with Jesus. She took a vow of perpetual virginity, left her village, and moved for the remaining five years of her life to the Jesuit mission village of Kahnawake, just south of Montreal.
Here she met with Fr. Claude, who then became her first biographer. Their connection was immediate and strong. Fr. Claude recognized Kateri's mysticism and devotion, but it seemed to me that he was most of all struck by her extraordinary strength of spirit, something that shook him to his core. It was fascinating to read how, while he guided her through higher levels of Christian spirituality, she was the one who taught and supported him, for the most part.
I found it very realistic that, in this book, the Jesuit priests come across, overall, as weaker personalities than the Native Americans.
The facts narrated come from the journals of the Jesuits who knew Kateri, and a few more documents, like letters, but not much more.
Her purity and holiness inspired people during her life, and even more after her death. She inspired me, for sure.
On the gravestone of this spiritual daughter of the martyrs was written this epitaph: “Kateri Tekakwitha, Ownkeonweke Katsitsiio Teonsitsianekaron,” “The fairest flower that ever bloomed among red men.”
This is a historic novel of the finest quality. It's also a beautiful, realistic, non-sugar-coated, well-written and very moving account of one of the most beautiful souls who ever lived. Thank God for having gifted her to us.
August 6, 2022
I Had No Idea
That Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was so saintly. For the longest time, I thought she was added to the Catholic canon to bolster the relations between accusatory leftists and millennia old ideologues. How wrong could I be!? The persecution and cultural turmoil that she set her face against, like flint, is remarkably told here. I have found a new friend, a new inspiration, and a new hope by reading this book… I hope you do, too.
That Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was so saintly. For the longest time, I thought she was added to the Catholic canon to bolster the relations between accusatory leftists and millennia old ideologues. How wrong could I be!? The persecution and cultural turmoil that she set her face against, like flint, is remarkably told here. I have found a new friend, a new inspiration, and a new hope by reading this book… I hope you do, too.
April 12, 2023
This is a very sad true story written as fiction which is another tragic tale of how colonialization ruins the lives of Native American Indians once again.
I just read a similar book and there are some parallels in the two stories so we can consider these to the facts-
Kateri is orphaned during a smallpox epidemic (introduced to her tribe by infected colonists) and loses her sight and becomes scarred
She then lives with her unkind uncle, a chief
She loves God, nature, and never wants to marry
She is good at embroidery and is inspired by nature and Christianity
She becomes a Christian and is ostracized by her tribe
Her story should have had a happy ending when she went to live in a Christian/Indian community, but she dies
This book sadly answers the question of what happened to her - she always had poor health, but after she approaches a Jesuit priest with her friend and asks if they can start a community of Native American nuns her request is rejected because the priest sees Native American Indians as inferior. She and her friend beat each other because they believe they are unworthy of receiving God's grace or becoming nuns because of their race. She also burns her flesh (apparently a common and horrific form of penance). Brokenhearted, she basically starves herself to death. Her life story is tragic and unbelievably sad.
The good news, when she dies her scars disappear and she is attributed with performing miracles when people ask for her intervention. She is remembered as the first Native American Saint according to the Catholic church.
The book also simultaneously tackles the story of one of the Jesuit priests who came from France.
The author clearly researched his subject matter well and the story appears to be true to Kateri's life. The book is well-written and I read it in a single sitting because the story was so compelling.
I just read a similar book and there are some parallels in the two stories so we can consider these to the facts-
Kateri is orphaned during a smallpox epidemic (introduced to her tribe by infected colonists) and loses her sight and becomes scarred
She then lives with her unkind uncle, a chief
She loves God, nature, and never wants to marry
She is good at embroidery and is inspired by nature and Christianity
She becomes a Christian and is ostracized by her tribe
Her story should have had a happy ending when she went to live in a Christian/Indian community, but she dies
This book sadly answers the question of what happened to her - she always had poor health, but after she approaches a Jesuit priest with her friend and asks if they can start a community of Native American nuns her request is rejected because the priest sees Native American Indians as inferior. She and her friend beat each other because they believe they are unworthy of receiving God's grace or becoming nuns because of their race. She also burns her flesh (apparently a common and horrific form of penance). Brokenhearted, she basically starves herself to death. Her life story is tragic and unbelievably sad.
The good news, when she dies her scars disappear and she is attributed with performing miracles when people ask for her intervention. She is remembered as the first Native American Saint according to the Catholic church.
The book also simultaneously tackles the story of one of the Jesuit priests who came from France.
The author clearly researched his subject matter well and the story appears to be true to Kateri's life. The book is well-written and I read it in a single sitting because the story was so compelling.
April 22, 2025
I am largely unfamiliar with North American history prior to the founding of the United States of America. Additionally, my limited understanding of early interactions between indigenous peoples and European colonists, or North American Saints makes Casey's work the richest of recently explored info-mines. I know that some may argue that Mr. Casey may have taken liberties with dialogue yet the intricacy of the story he's crafted has totally intertwined documented history and fiction; so much so that as one reads it becomes difficult to tell where fact ends, and fantasy begins. Well done, as it should be.
A wondrous story for a miraculous subject. Kateri Tekakwitha was an early American Saint. A young Mohican woman who was a remarkable pillar of faith that we would all do well to emulate. Thank you, Jack Casey, for bring her, and her world back to life.
A wondrous story for a miraculous subject. Kateri Tekakwitha was an early American Saint. A young Mohican woman who was a remarkable pillar of faith that we would all do well to emulate. Thank you, Jack Casey, for bring her, and her world back to life.
November 6, 2023
Kateri A Beacon In The Wilderness by Jack Casey. What a remarkable woman she was. You brought her to life in a thoroughly researched manner. I am a fan of detailed books that dive deep into the subject matter and you did not disappoint. I am not generally a fan of religious oriented books but your writing style was not proselytizing and the historic research on my home region was fascinating to read. I kept wondering, what happens next and for me that is the hallmark of a good story. I really liked Joseph Kryn and you made a warrior very human. While I wouldn't say the priests were the bad guys, they had a nature about them that was suspicious and I always wondered when they were going to misplace the trust put into them by the natives.
February 17, 2025
Kateri: A Beacon in the Wilderness
I love the storytelling in this creative intimate book about Saint Kateri and her daily life among the Mohawk. My favorite part of course occurred when Kateri at last made her way safely to the mission. The spiritual leaps and bounds in a beautiful young lady who even before being baptized had a loving heart and tender ways rang so true. I realize that this book is fiction but it all felt as if it could have happened the way it was written. Thank you to the author who put some obvious heart into this book. I enjoyed it.
I love the storytelling in this creative intimate book about Saint Kateri and her daily life among the Mohawk. My favorite part of course occurred when Kateri at last made her way safely to the mission. The spiritual leaps and bounds in a beautiful young lady who even before being baptized had a loving heart and tender ways rang so true. I realize that this book is fiction but it all felt as if it could have happened the way it was written. Thank you to the author who put some obvious heart into this book. I enjoyed it.
November 14, 2021
Kateri
I relaxed and read this book! I was attracted to it because I love to read about the ‘Indians in America’ and feel a sort of affinity with them, so I imagined myself in Kateri’s moccasins. Would that I could find such courage In the face of the adversity that she faced, her stubbornness about having a husband and he determination to give her life to Jesus Christ.
I relaxed and read this book! I was attracted to it because I love to read about the ‘Indians in America’ and feel a sort of affinity with them, so I imagined myself in Kateri’s moccasins. Would that I could find such courage In the face of the adversity that she faced, her stubbornness about having a husband and he determination to give her life to Jesus Christ.
June 16, 2022
A very enlightening biography of one of my favorite saints. My only complaint is that I wish Jack Casey would have included a bibliography to back up the book as a whole. I'm sure that the events of the book are indeed what happened, I just hoped he'd have a bibliography to help dispel and potential allegations of intellectual dishonesty. Great book otherwise!
May 24, 2024
A great telling of Saint Kateri's life, as well as how she changed the life of Fr. Claude Chauchatiere, a French Jesuit missionary. The book reads like a novel, and as very interesting. A few grammar errors, but those are easily ignored and don't take away from the book. Definitely recommend this book to all who are curious about St. Kateri.
September 23, 2024
A Beautiful Story
The story of Kateri, is extremely motivating and enlightening. For a short time I lived in upstate New York and visited many native American reservations and developed an interest in their culture and welfare. It was fortunate for me to read a biography of the first native saint.
The story of Kateri, is extremely motivating and enlightening. For a short time I lived in upstate New York and visited many native American reservations and developed an interest in their culture and welfare. It was fortunate for me to read a biography of the first native saint.
June 14, 2022
This is an historical fictionalized biography of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha who was “born into the Turtle Clan of the easternmost Mohawk village” in 1656. Though I know about the life of this saint, it was an enjoyable book to read, nevertheless.
🏮Kindle Unlimited version.
🏮Kindle Unlimited version.
September 15, 2024
Amazing
The book is intense. It keeps interest by the accounts of what it was like to live in that age and how the natives did or did not believe the black coats . Those of us in today's world should be as devoted as these early Christians.
The book is intense. It keeps interest by the accounts of what it was like to live in that age and how the natives did or did not believe the black coats . Those of us in today's world should be as devoted as these early Christians.
September 4, 2025
Great read
I loved this book so much, I took my time reading it. My priest always adds St Kateri's name in the list of saints. I wanted to get to know her story. This was very entertaining and kept you interested in the village life and the mission.
I loved this book so much, I took my time reading it. My priest always adds St Kateri's name in the list of saints. I wanted to get to know her story. This was very entertaining and kept you interested in the village life and the mission.
September 19, 2021
Great book
July 31, 2023
A great look into the life of a newly canonized saint.
Lots of inspiration.
Lots to think about.
Lots of inspiration.
Lots to think about.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews