Lily of the Mohawks: A Saint for Our Time

Lily of the Mohawks: A Saint for Our Time

By Marge Hynes, Writer

Header image via Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine and Historic Site 

I’ve always felt closest to God in nature. Growing up, I rescued animals whenever I could (lots of baby opossums), talked to the birds, named silkworms dangling from the trees, and napped on our wooden swing under the sun. So when it came time to choose a confirmation saint, St. Francis of Assisi felt like the obvious choice; he saw every creature and every element as a reflection of the King’s love and care for us.

In Lily of the Mohawks, I discovered another heavenly friend who shares that same reverence for the natural world: St. Kateri Tekakwitha. 

Who Is St. Kateri Tekakwitha?

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (pronounced kuh-TAH-ree
te-kuh-WITH-uh) was born in 1656 in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon, what we now call upstate New York, and died at just 24 years old.

Orphaned young and caught between her Mohawk roots and a burning devotion to the Catholic faith, Kateri chose to follow her beloved Jesus Christ with a courage that seemed almost impossible for her time and place. She took a vow of virginity despite pressure from her family and community, endured years of mistreatment while continuing to “turn the other cheek,” and lived a life marked by penance, prayer, and service. Those who knew her—and later wrote about her—described her as remarkably innocent, sweet, kind, and loving.

Remembered as the “Lily of the Mohawks,” Kateri is celebrated for her purity, yes, but also for the paradox she embodied: a flower blooming in a harsh, violent world, surrounded by tribal conflict and colonization. Yet God can be found even there, in the wilderness. As Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:26–29: consider the sparrows and the lilies.

Who Is Emily Cavins?

Emily Cavins is a storyteller with dirt on her shoes. She earned a BA in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology from the University of Minnesota and has participated in archaeological excavations in Israel. She and her husband, Jeff Cavins, who you may know from the Hallow app or Ascension Press, lead pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other biblical destinations, from Israel to Turkey, Greece, Italy, Jordan, and Egypt.

Cavins’ retelling of St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s life perfectly showcases her gifts: a historically grounded, culturally sensitive portrait that invites readers to step into Kateri’s world. Cavins has a clear mission—to shine light on saints who bridge divides between cultures, centuries, and traditions. Kateri, the second Indigenous person of the Americas to be canonized after Juan Diego of Mexico, embodies that mission beautifully. Her story reminds us that holiness isn’t confined to one people or one place. It can rise anywhere, at any time.

In the host of saints of the Catholic Church, there has never been one so connected to the earth, yet so joined to the Spirit. The rhythm of the seasons, the cycles of the moon, the bounty of the harvests, and the elements of wind and fire surrounded her each day. And from this organic simplicity, a huge capacity for spiritual communion with Christ was nurtured and matured like a mighty tree, the symbol of the Iroquois.
— Emily Cavins, Introduction to Lily of the Mohawks: The Story of St. Kateri

Learn more about Emily and her husband, Jeff Cavins, here.

What’s Inside?

Don’t let the book’s slim size fool you. This little volume carries weight. Inside, you’ll find:

• A detailed account of St. Kateri’s life—from her childhood and conversion to her early death—set against a backdrop of horrible danger, persecution, and survival.
  
• The story of the Jesuit missionaries and the extreme sacrifices they made, mirrored in Kateri’s own acts of penance and purposeful suffering.
  
• Rich cultural insight into 17th-century Mohawk life: traditions, historical realism, and the ways faith intertwined with daily tribal life. Cavins never sensationalizes these moments, which I love. Her portrayal is accurate and true to the Iroquois story.
  
• Devotional touches—prayers, reflections, and pilgrimage information—that invite readers to engage personally with Kateri’s life and charisms.

Who Should Read It?

You! And . . . 

• Anyone drawn to the lives of the saints, especially those from cultures and communities too often overlooked.
  
• Readers fascinated by Native American history, particularly in the 17th century.
  
• Anyone exploring that tender intersection of faith, culture, and identity.
  
• Devotional readers looking for inspiration rooted in real struggle.
  
• Teachers, catechists, and parish leaders wanting to highlight a Native American Catholic saint: a patroness of ecology, creation, and reconciliation.

If you’re looking for a book that motivates without sugarcoating, this is a beautiful companion for prayer, reflection, pilgrimage, or even just a quiet weekend read.

Like St. Francis of Assisi, whose Canticle of the Sun sings, “Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs,” Saint Kateri Tekakwitha saw the Creator reflected in every part of creation. Her life calls us to praise God in all things.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!

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With over eight years of experience and a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing, Marge Hynes is a dynamic writer whose portfolio spans SEO-driven copywriting, journalism, and marketing—a versatile skill set that allows her to craft compelling content for Paloma & Fig’s projects.

Marge’s Catholic faith serves as the cornerstone of her work. She approaches storytelling with thoughtfulness and a deep appreciation for the Lord’s own creative power. Her love of the written word shines through in every project, helping clients articulate their message with clarity, heart, and purpose.

When she’s not writing, Marge can be found leading praise and worship, diving into theological books, or exploring the great outdoors with her loyal dog, Augustine (Auggie for short).