VATICAN CITY, FEB. 21, 2012 (Zenit.org).- On Saturday, the prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes announced that Oct. 21 will be the date for the canonization of the first Native American saint, Kateri Tekakwitha.
Blessed Kateri will be raised to the altars along with Marianne Cope, a German-born immigrant to the United States, who followed St. Damian in caring for the lepers of Hawaii.
In addition, the following will be canonized that day:
— Jacques Berthieu, French martyr and priest of the Society of Jesus
— Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay catechist and martyr
— Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and of the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord
— Maria del Carmen (born Maria Salles y Barangueras), Spanish foundress of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching
