An important aspect of the observance of the sesquicentennial of the foundation of St. Gregory’s Abbey is recognition of the vital role that Native American tribal nations played in the arrival of our monastic community. Leadership in the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the Osage Nation and Catholics of other tribes petitioned the Church for Catholic priests and religious orders to come to Indian Territory so that they could receive the sacraments and so that their children might attend Catholic schools. It was through these requests that pastoral care of the people of the territory was entrusted to Fr. Isidore Robot, OSB, and Br. Dominic Lambert, OSB, the founders of Sacred Heart Abbey and Mission, now known as St. Gregory’s Abbey. The relationship between Native American Catholics and the monks of St. Gregory’s has continued in various ways until the present time.
In tribute to all Native American peoples, a statue of then Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha was commission by the monks and installed on the campus of St. Gregory’s on July 14, 1984, the Memorial of this first Native American Catholic to be beatified. When the “Lily of the Mohawks” was canonized as a saint in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, the Abbey composed and published a novena in her honor to seek her intercession. The novena emphasizes aspects of her spirituality, including her love of the Church, the Cross of Christ, the holy Eucharist, chastity, patience in the face of persecution and the natural environment. The monks offer the novena each year during the nine days before July 14 on July 5.
The Abbey continues to receive requests for printed copies of the Novena in Honor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and for permission to reprint the novena by parishes, missions and groups under the patronage of St. Kateri. You can access the prayers of novena by clicking the link below, or by sending a request for a printed copy. Printed copies are also available in the literature holders in the church narthex and abbey lobby. The monks invite all to come to know St. Kateri and her example of heroic virtue and love of the faith during her short life.