Posted on 11/08/2017 9:01:28 PM PST by marshmallow
PINE RIDGE, S.D. (CNS) -- During a Mass to formally open the sainthood cause for Nicholas W. Black Elk, the Native American was described as someone who merged the Lakota and Catholic culture in a way "that drew him deeper into the mystery of Christ's love and the church."
Black Elk's love for God and Scripture led him to become a catechist, fulfilling the mission of all disciples, said Bishop Robert D. Gruss of Rapid City in his homily at the Oct. 21 Mass at Holy Rosary Church in Pine Ridge.
The bishop said that for 50 years Black Elk led others to Christ often melding his Lakota culture into his Christian life. "This enculturation can always reveal something of the true nature and holiness of God," he said, adding that Black Elk always "challenged people to renew themselves, to seek this life that Christ offers them."
Bishop Gruss said Black Elk's life as a dedicated catechist, spiritual leader and guide "inspired many to live for Christ by his own story." With the formal opening of his cause, Black Elk now has the title "servant of God."
Black Elk was born sometime between 1858 and 1866. He died Aug. 19, 1950, at Pine Ridge.
The bishop said the process for the sainthood cause for Black Elk is a long one. First, he must show a reputation for holiness that spread to others.
The first phase involves gathering testimony about his life and his virtues. Bishop Gruss said Black Elk's public and private writings are currently being collected and examined. This documentary phase can take many years.
"Where the process ends is now up to the Holy Spirit and Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Our task now is to continue to gather more information, testimony about his........
(Excerpt) Read more at osv.com ...
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BTTT
Are we going to canonize our late friend ? ;-D
He wouldn't even recognize this "mass".
When did we lose him?
Oh, this is a different Black Elk.
I’m in.
“He wouldn’t even recognize this “mass”.”
Actually, he would recognize it as much as he did the old Mass the first time he saw that - in other words, not at all, but then he would dutifully learn it. Speaking only the language of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) originally, he had to learn the Latin responses and eventually could sing the whole Latin Mass. https://books.google.com/books?id=uBHUzKnb7M8C&pg=PA68&lpg=PA68&dq=black+elk+latin&source=bl&ots=vStlQb9c3L&sig=E9kI6nEKpUhXpWcaStlQA0Cpc1Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-gtO1vLHXAhUX2GMKHaLJBSgQ6AEIQzAE#v=onepage&q=black%20elk%20latin&f=false
Since he wanted his children to learn English (see the same link above) he would probably have welcomed a Mass in English to some degree.
FReeper BlackElk was critically injured in January. There was a prayer thread but I can’t find an update about his condition. Does anyone know what happened? His last posts were in December of 2016.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3515515/posts?q=1&;page=81
BlackElk passed away in January of this year.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3516935/posts
Thank you. He was a good friend here for many years. I will add him to my prayers.
I’m sure he’d appreciate that. :-)
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