National Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Today we spent a wonderful day at the National Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

We attended Mass in the morning with some new friends and then toured the beautiful grounds of this lovely, peaceful shrine.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha lived most of her life at this location in NY along the Mohawk River.

Luke praying the Glory Be prayer.....it is the prayer we learned this past week and he prayed it so reverently, I know his prayers were heard.

Inside the chapel where we attended Mass.

It is a church restored in the Mohawk tradition and just beautiful. Although a bit cold this morning....the Chapel closes next week because it is unheated and our central New York winters are very harsh. In fact, this morning I believe we could see our breath during Mass.

Luke at the altar railing.

The log beams across the ceiling of the church were carved with scenes of the life of Blessed Kateri.

The carving depicting Blessed Kateri's baptism, which took place at this location.

The altar

A symbol of the Turtle Clan inside the chapel

This rosary is amazing. It is made out of slices of wood along with beads. It was very unique.

There is also a very nice Native American museum on the grounds.

This is an cornhusk doll made in 1938.

(This isn't how our cornhusk dolls look)

a dreamcatcher

Kimmy getting "into" history.

I love this crucifix

The painting below is decribe above.

Amazingly, this was painted in 1681, a year after Blessed Kateri died.

The day warmed a little on our walk. We headed to the Tekakwitha spring.

The leaves are all on the ground now, but it was still gorgeous.

The Tekakwitha Spring.

There have been many miracles associated with this spring.

This is where the water came from with which Blessed Kateri was baptised on April 5, 1676

The grotto at the spring

A tombstone and statue are at the site of the only fully excavated Iroquois village.

The Shrine and grounds are lovingly taken care of by the Conventual Franciscans.
Words to live by.....