Miracle Attributed to Blessed Kateri!

Pope Benedict XVI has authorized a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the "Lily of the Mohawks," born at Auriesville in the 17th century. It is expected that plans for her canonization will soon follow. Announcement of the papal action was distributed on December19, 2011 by Catholic News Service and by News.Va website: The Vatican Today. The nature of the miracle has not been disclosed. Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Albany Diocese, where the Auriesville Shrine is located, issued a statement saying he is "thrilled" to learn of the miracle, and that he looks forward "to the canonization of this holy and loving disciple of Jesus which, hopefully, will take place during 2012." The staff of the Shrine offers praise and thanksgiving to God for this long awaited news. For years, the intention of the weekly Kateri Masses, the prayers of Kateri League members, pilgrims and staff have been for her canonization. Museum docents and gift shop personnel hear on-going testimonies by pilgrims of answered prayers and healings through Blessed Kateri's intercession. Veneration of her relics in the Coliseum and Kateri Chapel is a treasured part of pilgrimages here. The holy ground of Auriesville bears silent witness to the first years of her life - her first breath, footsteps and spoken words. It holds the trauma of the loss of her family to smallpox, and her own frail health and poor vision resulting from the disease. And it emanates the hope and peace of a life consecrated to Jesus Christ. By her heroic virtue, powerful witness to the Catholic faith among her people, and her life of sexual purity, Blessed Kateri is a much needed role model and inspiration today. We are blessed to share her story on the very ground where it began. During this Christmas season, join the Shrine staff in joyous thanksgiving to God for the gift of the life and witness of Blessed Kateri. Hopefully we will soon raise our voices in prayer to "Saint" Kateri Tekakwitha!