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UTICA, N.Y. -- Mohawk Valley Franciscans are getting ready for the October canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha by brushing up on the local soon-to-be saint's history. They hosted a lecture from the Shrine of Our Lady of Mothers at St. Joseph and St. Patrick church in Utica on Sunday.

The lecture covered Kateri's life history and accomplishments. She was a Mohawk-Algonquin indian converted to Catholicism by Franciscans during the seventeenth century. The Vatican attributes a Washington boy's recovery from a flesh eating bacteria to Kateri's healing powers.

Sunday's lecture also focused on Kateri's life as a symbol of perseverance in modern faith.

"In spite of any obstacles, persecution, going contrary to her own tribe's religious beliefs, she knew that this is who she was, and nothing was going to stop her," said Beth Lynch, Shrine of our Lady of Martyrs Museum Manager.

When she is canonized in October, Kateri will be the first Native American saint recognized by the Vatican.