Pope: Indigenous Peoples and grandmothers are a precious treasure of the Church
By Lisa Zengarini
Thousands of pilgrims welcomed Pope Francis as he joined their annual pilgrimage to the sacred shores of Lac Ste. Anne, on Tuesday afternoon, local time. The lake called Wakamne (鈥淟ake of God鈥�) by the Nakota Sioux and 鈥淟ake of the Spirit鈥� by the Cree people, is renowned for its healing waters and for its spiritual significance both to Catholics and Indigenous Peoples in Canada and Northwestern United States.
It was named after St. Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, by a Quebecois Catholic missionary, who launched the pilgrimage in the late 19th century, celebrating the week of her Feast Day, on 26 July.
Returning to the sources of our faith
After blessing the water of the lake and the faithful present with it, Pope Francis presided over a Liturgy of the Word. The Holy Father started his homily, noting that the beating of drums introducing the celebration 鈥渟eems to echo the beating of the hearts鈥� of the many pilgrims who for generations have walked together to reach this 鈥渓ake of God鈥�, seeking healing from its waters.
The Pope further remarked that silently contemplating these waters where 鈥渢he maternal heartbeat of the earth鈥� can be sensed, inspires us to return to the sources of life and of our faith. 鈥淚ndeed - he said - it allows us, in spirit, to visit the holy places", to imagine Jesus, who carried out much of his ministry on the shores of another lake: the Sea of Galilee.
Fraternity in diversity
God chose the richly diverse context of this peripheral area where various peoples converged, to announce to the world his 鈥渞evolutionary鈥� message of fraternity. That message, the Pope said, resounds today in the sound of drums spanning the centuries and uniting different peoples. 鈥淚t reminds us that fraternity is genuine if it unites those who are far apart, that the message of unity that heaven sends down to earth does not fear differences, but invites us to fellowship, in order to start afresh together, because we are all pilgrims on a journey.鈥�
Water gives life
Focusing on the readings of the Liturgy drawn from the Book of Ezechiel (Ez 47, 1-2. 8-9. 12), Pope Francis reiterated the crucial role of grandmothers, specifically in indigenous communities, in transmitting the 鈥渓iving water of faith鈥�. 鈥淔aith rarely comes from reading a book alone in a corner鈥�, said the Pope, 鈥渋nstead, it spreads within families, transmitted in the language of mothers, in the sweetly lyrical accents of grandmothers鈥�. While thanking them for their precious role, he reiterated his call on families to cherish and take care of their elders.
Water heals
Pope Francis then focused on the healing power of water in the context of the injuries suffered by the Indigenous Peoples of Canada after the European colonization. Recalling Jesus鈥� ministry on the shores the Sea of Galilee, he implored the Lord, through the intercession of Mary and of Saint Anne, to help heal those deep wounds.
The role of grandmothers in the healing process
Pope Francis, again, emphasized the role of mothers and grandmothers in the Indigenous communities also in helping to heal those wounds, referring specifically to the figure of the grandmother of God, who was introduced to the Indigenous Peoples in Canada by the missionaries through an effective process of inculturation.
He recalled that part of the 鈥減ainful legacy鈥� of European colonization 鈥渟tems from the fact that indigenous grandmothers were prevented from passing on the faith in their own language and culture鈥�. 鈥淭hat loss 鈥� the Pope said - was certainly tragic, but your presence here is a testimony of resilience and a fresh start, of pilgrimage towards healing, of a heart open to God who heals the life of communities鈥�.
All the Church needs healing
Pope Francis then remarked that, today, 鈥渁ll the Church needs healing鈥�, inviting the pilgrims to contribute to the building up of a 鈥渁 Mother Church鈥� capable of 鈥渆mbracing each of her sons and daughters鈥�, that 鈥渋s open to all and speaks to everyone鈥�, and 鈥渆ncounters everyone鈥�. He further emphasized that 鈥渋f we want to care for and heal the life of our communities, we need to start with the poor and most marginalized鈥�, including the elderly who risk dying alone, but also young people 鈥渨ho are more interrogated than listened to鈥�.
Pointing out that Jesus calls us to 鈥渢o go out, to give, to love鈥�, he invited all the faithful to ask themselves what they can do for those in need, and specifically for the Indigenous Peoples who have endured so much suffering.
Indigenous Peoples a treasure for the Church
In his final words the Pope expressed hope that the Church may advance helping the healing process of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, reiterating how precious they are to him and the Church.
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