[blackpacific]

If smudging involves talking to or inviting spirits as part of the ceremony I would call it dangerous. Can you truly say their actions are “neutral”?

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.

[Jamestown1630]

What are the Saints made of, and why do Catholics ‘talk’ to them?

[Cronos]

Hi, you asked "If smudging involves talking to or inviting spirits as part of the ceremony I would call it dangerous. Can you truly say their actions are “neutral”?"

If we look into what exactly happened we read that the smudging ceremony conducted at Holy Cross Church was explicitly adapted for a Christian setting honoring St. Kateri Tekakwitha. The burning of sage was used as a physical symbol of purification and prayers rising to the Trinity—the exact same theological purpose as burning frankincense in a Traditional Latin Mass (Psalm 141:2: "Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee").

No Spirit Invocation took place

Catholic Indigenous events led or sanctioned by a bishop do not invoke spirits. The physical element (burning herbs) was retained as a cultural expression, while any non-Christian spiritual intent was replaced entirely with prayer directed solely to the One True God. St. Kateri Tekakwitha