A Penitential Pilgrimage | July 25 |
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Pope says he is 'deeply sorry' to Indigeneous Peoples of Canada |
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The words sorry, shame, pain, and indignation resounded strongly in Pope Francis' first public speech of his penitential pilgrimage to Canada.
"I thank you for making me appreciate this, for telling me about the heavy burdens that you still bear, for sharing with me these bitter memories. Today I am here, in this land that, along with its ancient memories, preserves the scars of still open wounds.
I am here because the first step of my penitential pilgrimage among you is that of again asking forgiveness, of telling you once more that I am deeply sorry. Sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the indigenous peoples.
I am sorry. I ask forgiveness, in particular, for the ways in which many members of the Church and of religious communities cooperated, not least through their indifference, in projects of cultural destruction and forced assimilation promoted by the governments of that time, which culminated in the system of residential schools."
~Pope Francis, July 25, 2022 at the meeting with Indigenous peoples, First Nations, Métis and Inuit at the Former Ermineskin Residential School, Maskwacis, AB.
Photo credit: Neil McCarthy, Ardiocese of Toronto
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Returning the Moccasins
"I recall the meetings we had in Rome four months ago. At that time, I was given two pairs of moccasins as a sign of the suffering endured by indigenous children, particularly those who, unfortunately, never came back from the residential schools. I was asked to return the moccasins when I came to Canada; I brought them, and I will return them at the end of these few words, in which I would like to reflect on this symbol, which over the past few months has kept alive my sense of sorrow, indignation and shame.
The memory of those children is indeed painful; it urges us to work to ensure that every child is treated with love, honour and respect. At the same time, those moccasins also speak to us of a path to follow, a journey that we desire to make together. We want to walk together, to pray together and to work together, so that the sufferings of the past can lead to a future of justice, healing and reconciliation."
Pope Francis, July 25, at Maskwacis Photo credit: Vatican News
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Pope Francis addresses members of Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples |
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Pope Francis meets with members of the Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples in Edmonton, and says that reconciliation is a gift of Christ to move forward in the wake of the pain caused by the Church’s role in the Canadian residential school system.
"Nothing can ever take away the violation of dignity, the experience of evil, the betrayal of trust. Or take away our own shame, as believers. Yet we need to set out anew, and Jesus does not offer us nice words and good intentions, but the cross: the scandalous love that allows his hands and feet to be pierced by nails, and his head to be crowned with thorns.”
Pope Francis went on to say that the Church is the “living body of reconciliation”, since she is the one body in which Christ has reconciled us.
“Jesus reconciles us with one another on the cross, on the ‘tree of life’, as the ancient Christians loved to call it.”
That tree of life, said Pope Francis, joins heaven and earth and embraces all creation, even things that seemed “unthinkable and unforgiveable.”
“Jesus, through the four extremities of His cross, has embraced the four cardinal points and has brought together the most distant peoples; He has brought healing and peace to all things,” he said.
May God, he concluded, “take us by the hand, and even through the deserts of history, and continue to guide our steps on the way of reconciliation.”
Source and photo credit: Vatican News
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Watch livestream in your preferred language (12 indigenous languages, ASL, LSQ, English, French, Italian, German, Portugese, Arabic, and Spanish)
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
- 10:15 AM - Holy Mass at Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton | Watch on Salt+Light | CBC
- 5:00 PM - Pilgrimage to the site of Lac Ste. Anne and Liturgy of the Word at Lac Ste. Anne | Watch on Salt+Light | CBC
View Digital Booklet
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Check before you leave |
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For those attending the Papal Mass at the Commonwealth Stadium tomorrow, please review all messages sent to you by the Papal Team & Ticket Master. A couple of important reminders from the Papal Visit Team:
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Permitted items:
- Containers or thermoses with a capacity of 1-litre or less, juice boxes. No glass containers.
- Small individual serving snacks (except peanuts in the shell)
- Still cameras (non-professional, 200 mm lens or smaller), binoculars
- Small collapsible umbrellas smaller than 16” — cannot be opened inside the stadium or while sitting in the stands
- Small strollers (must fold & able to be stored safely under your seat)
- Clear bags that are 12x12x6" and non clear bags under 4.5x6.5". Read details on clear bag policy
- Don't forget to prepare your ticket on a mobile device for verification upon arrival.
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For over 10 years, the Together in Action goal has been set at $2 million. In 2021, the TIA goal was reduced by 30% due to the pandemic, bringing it to $1.4 million.
The goal of this year's TIA is $2 million as we commit to raise $600,000 each year over the next 5 years for the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, as our contribution to the $30-Million National Financial Pledge of the Bishops of Canada. Together as the Diocese, we unite our efforts in working with the Indigenous Peoples in the pursuit of truth, justice, healing, and reconciliation.
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