Simple proclamation of the Gospel, devotion to prayer and service to the lesser: this is the example set by Tecaveda, the first indigenous saint to be canonized in North America. Pope Francis hailed her as a model of apostolic zeal during a catechism of his public audience on Wednesday, praising her for her perseverance in adversity.
(Vatican News.com) Kateri Tekakwitha, North America’s first Native American virgin born around 1656, was the protagonist of Pope Francis’ catechism at the Audience on Wednesday, August 30. The theme of the day remains the apostolic zeal for proclaiming the Gospel.
receive faith at home
St. Taika Vida learned to pray and praise God from her Christian mother. The Pope pointed out that many of us also know God at home. “Evangelization often unfolds in this way: through simple small acts, such as parents helping their children to talk to God in prayer, telling their children about God’s great and merciful love. This is how the faith of St. Taika Vida is laid. For us It is always so. She received her faith from her mother in tongues, in tongues of faith.”
love the crucifix
The saint Taika Vida contracted smallpox at the age of four, leaving scars on her face and poor eyesight. Her parents and a brother lost their lives. Pained by illness and the loss of a loved one, the saint must also face misunderstandings and even death threats after her baptism. “All this made St. Tecaveda love the crucifix, the definitive sign of Christ’s love,” said the Pope.
“To bear witness to the gospel is not only about the joyful part; we must also know how to bear our daily cross with perseverance, faith, and hope. Perseverance in the face of adversity, before the cross: Endurance Is one of the great Christian virtues. Whoever has no patience is not a good Christian. Tolerant patience, enduring adversity and those who sometimes tire us or get us into trouble. The Life of the Virgin Taika Vida Show us that every challenge can be overcome if we open our hearts to Jesus.”
A model of service to God and neighbor
St. Taika Vida lives in a mission station near the city of Montreal, where she attends Mass, adores the Eucharist, prays wholeheartedly and makes penance. Her words and deeds revealed her love for God, and everyone was moved by it. The young saint Taika Vida also taught children and cared for the sick and the elderly.
The Pope noted that St. Taikaveda “has humbly set an example of service to God and neighbor. Faith is always expressed in service. Faith is not for adorning oneself and the soul, but for service”.
Wholehearted devotion to God and neighbor
Although people around her encouraged the saint Taika Vida to get married, she resolutely dedicated her entire life to God. In 1679, she declared a vow of chastity for life. This decision, the pope said, shows the passionate side of the apostle: total devotion to the Lord.
“Of course, not everyone is called to take the vows of St. Taika Vida. However, every Christian is called to devote himself every day to the vocation and mission entrusted to him by God, to act in a spirit of charity. To God and neighbor.”
Simply Testify to the Gospel
The life of St. Taika Vida testified that for Christians the apostolic zeal “means union with Jesus”, the desire to tell others about Jesus and to live out one’s own unique vocation. The last words of this saint are beautiful. Before returning to her heavenly home, she said: “Jesus, I love you.”
The Pope thus concluded: “Let us not forget: each of us is called to be holy, to practice holiness every day, the holiness of Christian life together. Each of us has received this call: let us in this moving forward on this path.”
trip to mongolia
At the end of Wednesday’s public audience, the Pope greeted the faithful who spoke different languages as usual, and invited all present to accompany him in prayer in his upcoming apostolic visit to Mongolia from August 31 to September 4.
Link URL: www.vaticannews.cn
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2023-08-30 11:01:00
