Jul 29, 2010 / 22:16 pm
The sound of drums boomed in the background as Sr. Kateri Mitchell spoke to CNA on Wednesday about the opening of the 71st Annual Tekakwitha Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She described the gathering of nearly 800 Native Americans from around the country as an opportunity for “evangelization” among the tribes.
Sr. Kateri, who is executive director of the conference and is of the Mohawk tribe, also noted that the event is intended to renew efforts in prayer for the canonization cause of the conference's patroness, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.
“The vision and the purpose of the conference is that of evangelization among the Native American Catholics and also to promote the canonization of our patroness Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha,” Sr. Kateri said, adding that the event also gathers “people together to learn about one another's cultures because we have so many tribes throughout the country – over 500 tribes – and there are Catholics in many of the tribes.”
The annual event is being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico this year and lasts from July 28 – Aug. 1. The conference draws adults and youth of all ages from multiple tribes around the U.S. for a series of workshops, talks, worship, activities and “a lot of prayer time,” Sr. Kateri explained.