St. Kateri Tekakwitha has been popularly called in the English-speaking world the “Lily of the Mohawks.” This title has a fascinating history, as well as profound symbolism.
Following her death, the remarkable story of her life spread across both Europe and North America. Many began to pray for her intercession and miracles started to occur, verifying her saintly status.
By the late 19th century, a renewed interest in her life led to a popular biography by author Ellen Hardin Walworth entitled, The Life and Times of Kateri Tekakwitha: The Lily of the Mohawks.
In the book, Walworth explains how a large stone monument was erected at St. Kateri’s gravesite in 1888 that had the following inscription.
KATERI TEKAKWITHA
APR 17 1680
Onkwe Onwe-ke Katsitsiio Teiotsitsianekaron
She then writes an explanation behind the inscription that gives some light behind the title, “Lily of the Mohawks.”
“The French translation is the exact interpretation given by M Cuoq who composed the Iroquois inscription [The fairest flower that ever bloomed among the True Men]. He says that Onkwe Onwe means literally, “The true men,” thus the Indians designate all who belong to their own. Katsitsiio means “beautiful flower” and is here applied to Tekakwitha, the “Lily of the Mohawks.” This title given to her by the English is altogether foreign to the Iroquois language as they have no distinctive word for Lily (nothing more definite than white flower) and Mohawks is a name they dislike because it was first given to them by their enemies. They prefer therefore their own term Caniengas.
This explanation helps identify the phrase as something applied to her after her death by English-speaking Catholics.
Symbolism of the Lily
One of the reasons why the “lily” was chosen to represent St. Kateri’s life was on account of her purity.
The lily in Christian art traditionally has symbolized purity, innocence and virginity. For example, the Archangel Gabriel is often depicted in scenes of the Annunciation giving the Virgin Mary a lily. Additionally, there exists a white day lily that only blooms around the time of the Assumption in mid-August and is known as the “Assumption Lily.”
St. Kateri strove to preserve her purity during her short life on earth and so it is fitting that she would eventually be known as the, “Lily of the Mohawks.”
The Catholic Church further confirmed this association in the opening prayer of the Mass that is celebrated annually on July 14, summarizing the above symbolism and even referring to the inscription that was placed on the monument.
O God, who desired the Virgin Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
to flower among Native Americans in a life of innocence,
grant, through her intercession,
that when all are gathered into your Church
from every nation, tribe and tongue,
they may magnify you in a single canticle of praise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!
Order your copy today of the graphic novel, Lily of the Mohawks: St. Kateri Tekakwitha!
Philip Kosloski
Philip Kosloski is the founder of Voyage Comics & Publishing and the writer and creator of the comic book series, Finnian and the Seven Mountains.