Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. 2012 by Stephen B Whatley
Kateri Tekakwitha (USA1656-1680) was canonised in Rome on October 21st, 2012 as the first American Indian Saint - and on that special day expressionist artist Stephen B Whatley painted this new tribute; inspired by an array of historic images - including the earliest painting of 1690.
Nancy Wiechec of the Catholic News Service in Washington DC kindly introduced Stephen to St Kateri's story, in August 2012, through an eloquent feature she had written - and the artist was immediately inspired , enchanted and moved; especially through his great affection for the USA and its people.
Painting iconic tributes to his Catholic faith often on special anniversaries has become a powerful feature of Stephen's work; and he was determined to honour this most humble of Saints - who was rejected by her tribe, through her devotion to her Catholic faith and fled from her native Fonda, NY home to Montreal, Canada.
Miracles of healing through the intercession of St Kateri have been experienced as recently as 2006 ( please see the CBS News link below) which finally convinced the Vatican to recognise her as a Saint; despite the fact that American Indians have been appealing for this recognition since the 1800s.
A memorial Shrine to Kateri was established in 1938 in Fonda NY; 200 acres of beautiful woodlands on the north bank of the Mohawk River.
In 1980, Kateri was beatified as the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha; the first stage toward Sainthood; which has finally come about - bringing joy peace and hope to Americans, Canadians and Catholics worldwide.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is known as the patron Saint of American Indians, ecology & the environment.
Peace.
News of the Canonisation of Kateri Tekakwitha, via BBC News:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19996957
St Kateri's most recent reported miracle explored, via CBS News:
www.cbsnews.com/8301-501714_162-57536561/boys-miracle-cur...
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. October 21, 2012 by Stephen B Whatley
Oil on canvas, 27 x 19.5in/68.6 x 50cm
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. 2012 by Stephen B Whatley
Kateri Tekakwitha (USA1656-1680) was canonised in Rome on October 21st, 2012 as the first American Indian Saint - and on that special day expressionist artist Stephen B Whatley painted this new tribute; inspired by an array of historic images - including the earliest painting of 1690.
Nancy Wiechec of the Catholic News Service in Washington DC kindly introduced Stephen to St Kateri's story, in August 2012, through an eloquent feature she had written - and the artist was immediately inspired , enchanted and moved; especially through his great affection for the USA and its people.
Painting iconic tributes to his Catholic faith often on special anniversaries has become a powerful feature of Stephen's work; and he was determined to honour this most humble of Saints - who was rejected by her tribe, through her devotion to her Catholic faith and fled from her native Fonda, NY home to Montreal, Canada.
Miracles of healing through the intercession of St Kateri have been experienced as recently as 2006 ( please see the CBS News link below) which finally convinced the Vatican to recognise her as a Saint; despite the fact that American Indians have been appealing for this recognition since the 1800s.
A memorial Shrine to Kateri was established in 1938 in Fonda NY; 200 acres of beautiful woodlands on the north bank of the Mohawk River.
In 1980, Kateri was beatified as the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha; the first stage toward Sainthood; which has finally come about - bringing joy peace and hope to Americans, Canadians and Catholics worldwide.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is known as the patron Saint of American Indians, ecology & the environment.
Peace.
News of the Canonisation of Kateri Tekakwitha, via BBC News:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19996957
St Kateri's most recent reported miracle explored, via CBS News:
www.cbsnews.com/8301-501714_162-57536561/boys-miracle-cur...
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. October 21, 2012 by Stephen B Whatley
Oil on canvas, 27 x 19.5in/68.6 x 50cm