Canonization

Welcome to the pilgrimage to Roma for the Canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha, first North American Indian of Aboriginal soil to be declared "Saint!" 

Kateri Tekakwitha, a Mohawk-Algonquin, was born in Auriesville, N.Y. 1656; died in Kahnawake, Canada, 1680; Beatified by Bl. Pope John Paul II, 1985 and today will be Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI, October 21, 2012! 

Join 100,000 pilgrims who will witness the elevation to sainthood of seven holy men on their path to Sainthood! 

The tapestry of Kateri was one of the seven which hung so beautifully from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica! 

The air was electrified with joy after Pope Benedict officially declared Kateri to be Saint Kateri Tekakwitha! Allan & Marlene share their joy with Sr. Pat Mylott! 

Pope Benedict blesses everyone from the Popemobile! 

Dir. of the Tekakwitha Conference, Sr. Kateri Mitchell with Allan who describes Marlene's new painting, "Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: Princess of the Eucharist." 

On October 22, a Thanksgiving Mass was offered under the Apse of St. Peter, celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia, Pa. 

Msgr. Paul Lenz & Fr. Wayne Carroll Paysee in Procession at the Thanksgiving Mass, St. Peter's Basilica, Oct. 22, 2012. 

Marcus Leading the Native American Choir During the Thanksgiving Mass for St. Kateri. 

Gifts for Pope Benedict XVI were presented during this Mass. Many priests from the U.S and Canada concelebrated with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. 

Pilgrims attended a Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Basilica during the week in Rome. 

Maire Rose, granddaughter of Allan & Marlene, played violin for the entire Mass at Assisi. She was honored to play "Ave Maria" during Holy Communion at St. Peter's for the Thanksgiving Mass. 

A Native American Chief in tribal dress during Mass. 

Allan & Marlene with Pima friend from Arizona. 

The Finkbonner family from Washington in line to receive Holy Communion from Pope Benedict at the Canonization Mass. 

The North American College for Seminarians hosted a reception at this site for pilgrims. 

Allan & Maire with Native American friends at the reception. 

Choir Director, Marcus with members from his Native American choral group. 

Native American Pro-Life Director with friend at the North American College reception. 

Maire Rose & Nun become friends at the reception. (Don't they look alike?) 

Marlene meets friend from the Tohono O'Othum tribe in Tucson, Arizona. 

Sunset at the Vatican. 

Marlene & Jake Finkbonner at the Tekakwitha Conference in Auriesville, N.Y. in July, 2012. Jake's healing from a flesh eating bacteria, age 6, was the miracle accepted for Kateri's elevation to Sainthood. Jake is 12 years of age at this date. (The Vatican took five years to conclude affirmatively of the miracle's Divine intervention.) 

Marlene's painting of St. Kateri Tekakwitha with the Holy Eucharist and Holy Cross predominating. Pope Benedict XVI is portrayed over her. Kateri emerges from a garden of lilies, symbolic of her purity and her title, Lily of the Mohawks. 

As part of our extended tour, we invite you to the last Mass of our pilgrimage.... to the Basilica of St. Mark's in Venice. Seen to the left of the main celebrant, are: Vice-Postulator of the cause of Kateri, Msgr. Paul Lenz and Dir. of the Black & Indian Missions, Fr. Wayne Carroll Paysee, both of Washington, D.C. 

The Vatican Garden (left to right) Fr. Wayne Carroll Paysee (Dir. of Black & Indian Missions), Marlene; Msgr. Paul Lenz (Vice-Postulator Emeritus for Kateri); Catherine ,(Former Secretary to Msgr. Lenz and Fr. W.C. Paysee) 

Photos from the Thanksgiving Mass at St. Peter's Basilica..... Presentation of Gifts for Pope Benedict XVI....Marlene is seen holding the banner of St. Kateri. She gifted the Pope with her painting seen in Photo 25 of this Gallery.