OKLAHOMA CITY (OSV News) — Facing east toward the altar of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, Deacon Roy Callison burned cedar as his wife, Susan, recited the first of the four invocations in the Prayer in the Four Directions, a traditional spiritual practice rooted in Indigenous culture.
Using a shell and an eagle fan, Deacon Callison continued the Native American ritual of cedaring. As he turned to face south, the congregation mirrored his moves and Susan recited the second prayer. He continued the symbolic act of purification, using items found in nature, and recited the two remaining prayers facing west and then north.
Following the recitation of the Prayer in the Four Directions, and in his first major Mass since being elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City processed down the aisle of the shrine as students from Riverside Indian School, and some adults, sang the processional hymn in Kiowa.
This was the third annual Native American Mass. It was celebrated on Nov. 23, the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, at the shrine in Oklahoma City.
Michael Dalby, along with his son Wyatt, participated in the procession in full Native American regalia.
“We are still here,” Dalby said. “We are participating, we are Catholic.”
Dalby recited the first reading in both Kiowa, his native language, and then in English. The second reading was recited in Cherokee and English by Harry Oosahwee.
Coakley was joined by concelebrants Benedictine Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen of St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee and Benedictine Abbot Philip Anderson of Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey in Hulbert in the Diocese of Tulsa. Assisting were Deacons Roy Callison and Craig Victor.
Both Michael and Wyatt, a day student at Riverside Indian School, recited prayers in Kiowa. Prayers were recited in Comanche by Dana Attocknie and Cathy Lonewolf, as well as in Potawatomi by Robert Collins.
In his homily, Archbishop Coakley acknowledged Oklahoma’s 39 federally recognized Native American tribes, saying, “All the tribes of the Earth will be blessed in him.”
The event, sponsored by the American Indian Catholic Outreach for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, incorporated facets of Native American culture while honoring the traditional manner of celebrating Mass according to the liturgical calendar.
In an interview with the Sooner Catholic, Oklahoma City’s archdiocesan news outlet, Dalby explained: “We’re just doing what we always do. It’s regular Mass, just in our native language. This just gives us a chance to get out there and show that we do walk in two worlds.”
Prayer in the Four Directions
Great Spirit, Come to us with the power of the North. Make us courageous to walk the sacred path with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Give us strength and endurance to do all that we are called to do during our life, especially in times of trials and adversity.
Spirit of Light, Come to us out of the East, the place of new beginnings and promise. With the power of the Rising Sun announcing a new day, you give us hope. Let there be joy in our words just as you gave the spiritual gift of new life to Saint Kateri through the waters of baptism.
Great Spirit, Send us the warmth and soothing winds of your healing medicines from the South. You are the gentle rain that brings forth the seed of life. Enable us to hear prophetic voices around us as Saint Kateri Tekakwitha shared God’s love, compassion and healing power among her people.
Spirit of Life, We face you in the direction of the West. Help us to be bearers of your Word. May we be voices of life and hope to all peoples, nations, races and beliefs, as exemplified in the life of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.
Amen.
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