Lyrics chosen honors St. Kateri Tekakwitha's canonization

"I wasn't going to enter because

I don't think of myself as a text writer."

In October 2012, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany's Diocesan Liturgical Commission announced the winner of a hymn competition to honor St. Kateri Tekakwitha's canonization. My submission, Hymn for Saint Kateri, was selected. Submitted lyrics had to be set to the tune of "Simple Gifts," an 1848 Shakers song by Elder Joseph Brackett. The winning entry was used at a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating the canonization held on the afternoon of November 4th (2012) at Albany (NY) Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

"The goal with any hymn for me is to lift hearts and minds to God. With any saint, they should inspire us as Christians that we all have the Holy Spirit within us to help us live holy lives. It's not just a few people who are able to do incredible things."

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