Mohawk Saints

Writing Assignment 1

Allan Greer argues in the Mohawk Saint that the nature of conversion for the converts like Cathrine Tekakwitha was the harvest of souls. It was important to the Jesuits to convert the Indians. They believed by getting them to confess their sins and to take the Christian path that they were saving them from damnation. They wished to convert the ill and the healthy. An Indian who died shortly after baptism would go straight to heaven, and those who survived the death and disease would continue on to live a Christian life. It was also their goal to baptize those that could not make the decision on their own, for instance, children. The Jesuits wanted to convert anyone eager to confess their sins and be baptized, but they also wanted those free of sin. Knowing a child’s soul would soon be with Christ made them feel as if they had achieved a victory. They reported that they had “passed into heaven more than two hundred souls of sick children and adults, all dying after baptism.” Some did deny baptism and then only accepted it once they were facing death. The Jesuits would at times wait for the perfect opportunity to baptize certain individuals. An Indian mother did not want her baby to be baptized because she believed these men were trying to steal their children souls; so they would wait for a moment of opportunity and quickly baptize the baby and explain away their wet foreheads.

Cathrine Tekakwitha was born around or in the year of 1656. She was baptized in Gandaouague, but did not start to truly embrace Catholicism until she was later relocated to Kahnawake. Her introduction into Catholicism happened entirely in the company of Iroquois women. It was a friend of her mother’s, Anastasia Tegonhatgiona, who helped her during this crucial chapter of her life. Catherine wanted to learn what was most pleasing to God. She did this by taking the guidance of Anastasia and learning the ways of Iroquois Christians. Catherine took notice of Anastasia...