Mohawk Saint: Catherine Tekakwitha and the Jesuits

Greer does a great job producing a book that is scholarly and myth-busting, but not at all cynical about religious belief. He does a brilliant job putting Catherine Tekakwitha in the context of her time and place, and showing what made Mohawk Catholics different from other North American indigenous converts. This book is quite brief (200 pages of text) but packed with fascinating details and insights. Also, Greer explains why we shouldn't use the name Kateri for his subject.

Greer's book is a fascinating dual biography of Catherine Tekakwitha, a 17th century Mohawk woman, and Claude Chauchetiére, the French Jesuit who knew her and became her hagiographer. It functions as a microhistory, using the encounter of Tekakwitha and Chauchetiére as a window into the processes of conversion and colonialism in New France. It stands out in its creative use of source material, fine-grained analysis, and clear and concise writing.Unlike other reviewers, I do not view Greer's attempt to humanize Tekakwitha - to situate her life in the time, place, and culture in which she lived - as an effort to challenge modern devotion to her. She can be understood as a historical figure, whose life (including her conversion and devotion to Christianity) was shaped by both powerful impersonal forces and individual decisions, beliefs, and relationships, *and* as a Saint revered by millions around the globe.I cannot recommend the book enough for anyone hoping to learn more about the Mohawk Saint.

More than a book about a Indian saint this is deep dive into the life of the Indian people of the St. Lawrence region in the late sixteenth century as well as the Jesuit’s and Europeans that interacted with them. Very good.

Possibly the best book I’ve read on the era. More than a biography — yet a good one — the book is about the broader culture and missionizing. It is a book *about* religion, but not a book *of* religion, as some negative reviewers here seem to have wanted it to be. It is history, and scholarship, and it treats faith seriously and with respect. It draws on the tools of scholarly evidence, and it is beautifully written.

I was hoping that I would like this book. After all, it is about one of my favorite saints - a long time before she was canonized. While I know that this book allows the historical context of the era in which it was written, I am sorry to say that I do not like it. The author chooses to take a patronizing and condescending tone. Other reviewers are right when they say that the author brings her down.It does not talk about some of the reasons she became a saint. Kateri - and yes, I am calling her Kateri, not "Catherine", a name which I had never heard used until this book - had an amazing devotion to the Eucharist. She walked to Mass every day despite the weather. She served others, Christian and non-Christian alike. She is a shining example of a good Christian for every age. Why couldn't the author focus on what matters?Honestly, it was a book that I had to read for class. Otherwise, I think I wish I wouldn't have gotten it.

Professor Greer's book is not a hagiography; he shows the historical period the saint was born into. I found it to be an excellent book about Kateri and the people who knew her, Jesuits and Iroquois alike. Most interesting are the drawings by the Jesuits showing life at Canawagha. The author also goes into the early period of devotion to Kateri. I am especially happy that the publishers used the real portrait of the saint on the cover, not a saccharine illlustration. Great book, looking forward to reading his others!

Great!

Interesting look into St Kateri's life. It vividly explains the culture and the different points of view of the French and the Mohawks.

A wonderful, insightful book thank you

Excellent historical bio especially if one is familiar with the referenced territories.Needs a foreword though, pointing out that she is now a saint.

I didn't read it, but gave it full marks as it was purchased as a present for my brother and he liked it.

Casts a new light on an old heroic figure. Through examinations of memoirs and manuscripts, Greer wades through the often convoluted and manipulated waters of the story of Catherine Tekakwitha. I had to read it for class, but I managed to enjoy it anyway.

The times and the events were never explained the way Allan Greer did in writing this book. In fact I am so impressed that I will takea course he is teaching at McGill in September 2016.