The following excerpts are from Catholic News Service:
- Jake Finkbonner knows what it's like to have kids tease him because of the way he looks, but one of his heroes also grew up being teased.
- The 12-year-old boy said Kateri Tekakwitha, who was to become an official saint Oct. 21, was "an inspiration because I remember reading that many of the children in her tribe teased her because of her faith, but she continued to praise God and she made her own rosary."
- "One of the things she always tried to do was spread her faith, even though her uncle and aunt didn't really approve of it," he said.
- Kateri was raised by her Mohawk father's family after her parents died in a smallpox epidemic; Kateri survived, but with a scarred face and damaged vision.
- Jake and his parents -- Donny and Elsa -- his two little sisters, all four of his grandparents and lots of aunts and uncles traveled to Rome for Kateri's canonization.
Read more by clicking below:
CNS STORY: Kateri and Jake: American Indians are joined in sainthood cause
