by Claudio R. Salvucci

Praise for Catherine of the Erie:

"[A]n excellent new historical fiction work from the good folks at Arx Publishing....Catherine of Erie is a genuinely enjoyable read, and the depictions of life among the Iroquois are exceptionally vivid and rich. In particular, this book reveals how Christianization actually looked (and ought to look) as the faith takes root in non-Christian cultures. Claudio clearly possesses a masterful command of the subject matter, which, blended with his colorful writing, make this a wonderful little book. At 160 pages it is short, but there's a lot of depth and richness in that 160 pages!"

—Unam Sanctam Catholicam

"I’m so glad I found this book. As a Catholic, I knew nothing of Catherine, but she has such an important and inspiring story! I’m thrilled to be able to share this book with my kids; it’s so much better than all the fluff out there."

—A reader on Amazon.com

"Such a beautiful gem of a book about the historical events of La Prairie, the Black Robes, and of Catherine of Francis Xavier....Those who love St. Kateri Tekakwitha should read this pleasant historical novel....Throughout the story, Catherine’s spark of faith grows into a mighty inferno for God the Creator. Her humility, charity and devotion helps to create one of the largest catholic communities for native tribes in the 1600’s. Catherine’s virtue converted many pagans and guided them away from impurities and drunkenness. This novel has an incredible ending with the Catherine’s final agony. A true battle between good and evil. This book is a page turner and allows the reader to grow with Catherine and ultimately inspired me as a reader to grow in piety and devotion."

—Taylor Garcia, Catholic Homeschooling Mom

About the book:

Before Saint Kateri, there was Catherine Gandeaktena.

A daughter of the shadowy Cat Nation, a confederacy of tribes living on the southern shores of Lake Erie in the mid-17th century, Gandeaktena was a child of the longhouse. Brought up in the wilderness haunts straddling present-day western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, Gandeaktena came of age as one of the final generation of Eries before the utter annihilation of their nation. Situated hard by the border of the fearsome Iroquois confederacy, the Eries existed in a state of perpetual danger from their traditional enemies, whose far-ranging war parties ever sought new victims for their expertly wielded muskets.

Though sheltered in early life under the protection of a kindly mother and strong father, Gandeaktena’s naturally peaceable and humble nature was forced to endure the blood and fire which were not uncommon features of life among the nations. Bold raids by Cat Nation braves brought a steady stream of enemy captives to the Erie town of Rigué—captives whose courage must be put to the test via ritual torture and death on the scaffold. In Gandeaktena’s teen years, the endless cycle of raiding, torture, and death in the eastern woodlands would be consummated in a riot of slaughter and smoke.

Even as the life of the Cat Nation was snuffed out by the cruel war whoops of the triumphant Iroquois, Gandeakena’s path was just beginning. Brought as a slave to live among the Iroquois, Gandeaktena would find a kindly husband, Francis Xavier Tonsahoten, and a loving God. The Erie Gandeaktena would become the Christian Catherine—the Mother of the Poor—and thus transformed would plant seeds in the mission town of Caughnawaga from which would eventually sprout a bountiful harvest, including the Lily of the Mohawks herself. 

Deeply imbued with the spirit and language of this obscure period of history, Catherine of the Erie is a historical novel which transports the reader from the harrowing forests of the eastern woodlands to the spiritually rich heyday of New France where medicine men and manitous were giving way in the hearts of the native people to the gentle yoke of “He Who Has Made All” and his Son, Jesus Christ. From these hearty, long-suffering people would emerge a unique expression of Christian devotion which inspires cradle Catholics and converts alike to this day.

About the author:

Claudio R. Salvucci is a writer of various genres who resides in Pennsylvania. He is the author of several works, including the novella, The Mangerie of Marsepink and the epic poem, The Laviniad. He is also the editor of numerous works such as The Little Office of Baltimore, Kateri Tekakwitha: The Iroquois Saint and The American Martyrology. Aside from his literary work, Mr. Salvucci has penned several books on Philadelphia and Pennsylvania dialects and served as editor of the American Language Reprint (ALR) series and the Annals of Colonial North America (ANCA) series for Evolution Publishing.

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2025 ~ 160 pages
 paperback ~ 978-1-935228-32-5
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