Week
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April 24, 2002
Inside the Register
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Archbishop celebrates Mass honoring Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Liturgy for Native American Catholic community fills cathedral to capacity
By Alwen Bledsoe
The
April 14 Mass in honor of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha drew a standing-room
only crowd to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. For some it was
their first encounter with the woman Catholic Indians pray will soon be
elevated to saint. Around 70 Indians from the Kateri community, Denver's
Catholic Indian community, and the larger metro area were in attendance,
said Deacon Bill Ward, administrator for the Kateri community.
Traditional Indian dress of scarlet, gold and green lent brilliance to the Mass, while the deep pulse of Indian drumming and song built and receded throughout the service like a slow approaching thunderstorm. The scent of sage and cedar incense, fanned by a huge eagle feather, filled the cathedral as the daylight pouring through the windows softened into night. Sage, cedar and the eagle feather are all considered sacred in various tribes, Deacon Ward said.
Blessed Kateri, known as "Lily of the Mohawks," was baptized by a Jesuit missionary Easter of 1676. The Mohawk Indian was beatified June 22, 1980, one of only two Native peoples so honored. The other is Juan Diego.
The April 14 celebration fell on the Sunday closest to April 17, the day when Mohawk Indians in Canada and upper state New York celebrate Blessed Kateri, Deacon Ward said. Blessed Kateri's traditional day of celebration in the United States is July 14.
"She loved the Lord and his cross more than anything else," said Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., during his homily. "She lived an extraordinary life of prayer and righteousness."
Blessed Kateri died at age 24, only four years after becoming a Christian. April 17 marked the 320th anniversary of her death, the archbishop said. Kateri's short life was a difficult, but faithful one, he added. She was orphaned at the age of 4 when her parents died of small pox. Kateri herself bore the scars of the disease the rest of her life. When she converted she was ostracized by her Mohawk community and left to live in a neighboring Christian tribe, Archbishop Chaput said. In the Christian village of Caughnawaga near Montreal, Kateri devoted her life to prayer, penance and the care of the sick and elderly. At her death her scars disappeared "as though she was being already transformed by her new life with Christ," the archbishop continued.
During the Mass, he also honored the Native Americans who make up the Catholic Church. The archbishop himself is part Potawatami.
"We are better and the archdiocese is richer because these wonderful people are our brothers and sisters," he said. "Our Church isn't complete without them."
His remarks were greeted with enthusiastic applause.
The traditions of Native peoples can teach other Catholics a great deal, the archbishop said. Selfless generosity is one of those traits, he added.
"You become important not by what you have but by what you give away," he continued. "It's a beautiful thing really."
He added, though, that sometimes tribes are too insular and ignore those outside of their immediate community. As an example he said that originally his people the Potawatamis considered themselves the only true humans.
"The Gospel calls us out of tribalism to include all people in our family," he exhorted.
The Kateri community represents over 20 different tribes, according to Deacon Ward. Though 100 families are registered, he estimated that more like 200 are actually a part of the community. And for many, the Kateri community has become family.
Margaret Tranekier, director of religious education for the Kateri community and a Lakota, said she attends the Kateri community because of its family-like atmosphere.
"Everyone leans on each other," she said. "We do come together to help each other in times of need, of crisis, and of joy."
Archbishop Chaput ended the Mass by reciting a prayer for the canonization of Blessed Kateri. Voices could be heard joining his, praying the prayer the Kateri community has long prayed before each Mass.
Penny Bishop, 53, discovered the Kateri community about 18 years ago during a difficult period in her life, she said. Bishop is Potawatami and is distantly related to the archbishop, she added. Blessed Kateri has played an essential role in her faith, Bishop said.
"She's a very prominent role model to Catholic Indian people," she said, later adding, "She is a source of strength for us."
Tranekier said the Mass was important because it got out the word about Blessed Kateri.
"I was so glad (the archbishop) told everybody about Blessed Kateri," she said. "At least people will know now and pray for her canonization. One big miracle is all we need."