A Canadian Family

Genealogy, Family History & Vintage Postcards

Kateri Tekakwitha, Lily of the Mohawks

Katerip

Today I heard that the Catholic Church is coming closer to the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha. For those unfamiliar with Catholicism, this would mean that Kateri would be recognized as a saint (she’s already been beatified by Pope John Paul II).

Kateri lived during the late 1600s and converted to Catholicism in 1656. She was recognized for her fervent Christian beliefs and pious life. Her beliefs were what brought her to the Jesuit settlement of St.Francois Xavier du Sault as she came here to escape pressures to give up her new beliefs.

I was of two minds in writing this post because of the tragic destruction of Native American culture and spirituality that has taken place since Europeans arrived in North America.  However, I do admire Kateri as someone churchkahnawakewho stood up for her beliefs – and I wonder how many of us today would give up so much for our religious or philosophical convictions.

Kateri

The vintage postcard on the right depicts St-Francois-Xavier church while the one on the left shows the presbytery. Kateri is interred in the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, Quebec.

Useful Link:

The Iroquois of Kahnawake

August 13, 2009 Posted by | . | , , , | 7 Comments

Lucie’s Rock-and-Roll Summer (Attention: Acadians)

Between sumer getaways and other pursuits, I bet some of you haven’t been to Lucie LeBlanc Consentino’s Acadian & French-Canadian Ancestral Home Weblog.

recently. If this is the case – and especially if you’re into all things Acadian, then you should definitely drop by for a visit.

Lucie’s been blogging up a storm this summer with entries into various carnivals and useful tips on new technology, but she’s also begun blogging about the CMA 2009 which is taking place shortly in northern New Brunswick. CMA 2009 is a gigantic gathering of Acadians from far and wide and if you can’t attend then I suggest you bookmark Lucie’s site and follow along for a virtual visit! Lucie is sharing general information as well as late-breaking news about the LeBlanc activities and -of courese – her own speaking engagements.

One exciting bit of news is that Lucie will be interviewed once again by Radio-Canada. In case you’re not aware, Lucie was already interviewed a few months ago in a television piece about Acadians today and the way that mtDNA searchs can help people feel connected to their deep ancestral past (http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/telejournal/2008-2009/Reportage.asp?idDoc=82587). Even if you don’t understand French I do suggest you take a look at the interview because you do get to see Lucie and her lovely daughter as they prepare for her wedding, as well as some shots of the Acadian genealogist Stephen White and the library shelves at Moncton University.

If you’ve been following Lucie’s blog then you already feel her warmth and energy but it’s fun to experience it in moving pictures and sound too!

Related Posts:

Evelyn’s Picks: Acadian and French Canadian Ancestral Home

August 13, 2009 Posted by | . | 2 Comments

   

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 73 other followers