Friday, June 12, 2009

The Feast Of Enmegahbowh

No, that's not a typo and, no, I can't pronounce his name with much confidence. I know it means "He Who Prays Standing". I can declare with confidence that he was the first American Indian [or, as Caucasians prefer, "Native American"] to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. For the sake of accuracy, his tribe was Odawa, yet he worked among the Ojibwa beginning in the 1850's. The parish he founded, St. Columba in White Earth, Minnesota, is still active.

Almighty God, you led your pilgrim people of old with fire and cloud: Grant that the ministers of your Church, following the example of blessed Enmegahbowh, may stand before your holy people, leading them with fiery zeal and gentle humility. This we ask through Jesus, the Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.