Rule & Constitution of the Order of St James (Hawk Dancer)

Order of Saint James *Life of the Monks featured in the novel "Hawk Dancer"* by Bro. Joshua Seidl, SSP Why I think we need an Order of St. James. 1. The Order of St. James would represent and serve Indigenous People in accordance with the customs and traditions of Native protocol and culture. 2. The Order of St. James would be made up of Indigenous People and directed by Indigenous People. (Non-Indigenous may also apply, but are focused to the norms of Indigenous ways.) 3. "Special attention needs to be given to vocations among indigenous peoples: they need a formation which takes account of their culture. While receiving a proper theological and pastoral formation for their future ministry, these candidates for the priesthood should not be uprooted from their own culture." --The late Great Pope John Paul II. 4. Current seminaries and religious formation houses seldom if ever accommodate Indigenous culture and communities in their configuration. 5. The Priests and Brothers of the Josephite religious congregation fulfill the unique conditions of African-Americans. I feel the Order of St. James can do this for Native People. • email author
• • • • Concepts drawn from the actual Rule and Constitutions of the Rule of St. James: • • The Constitution of the Order of St. James is written within the Rule of St. Francis for the Third Order Regular Franciscans. This is because the Church has long approved the Franciscan Rule and Life and we wish to receive its blessings and guidance. Our first rule is to give thanks to God for creating us and for all of his creation. The Letter of St. James found in the New Testament coincides with the Seven Sacred Indigenous Virtues and philosophies. The Letter of James is used in its entirity as part of the constitutions. Portions of the letter is also in the Rule. • • The Rule and the constitutions take up about 35 pages of regular copy paper (8 ½ x 11 inches). So, I decided to post a general explanation of the Jamian life (Order of St. James) on this web site rater than the entire manuscript. The original material is copyrighted mainly to protect the integrity and ideals set forth for the Jamian life. The entire Rule and the Constitution is available from the author free of charge. A modest contribution for postage and copy is appreciated. • • The number of Native People offering themselves to Church service and Ministry is remarkable. However, the staying power of Indigenous candidates within current non-Indigenous seminary and religious formation programs is very low. The most common denominator is the lack of openness, toleration or accommodations for Indigenous candidates. • • Modern Directors of seminary and religious life formation express warm words and encouragement to foster and receive multi-cultural candidates, including Indigenous vocations. The directors of the non-Indigenous Religious formation houses and diocese seminaries are generally not well informed about Native American culture and life. There is a hidden institutional racism, currently unintended or identified, that surfaces when Non-Indigenous leadership is confronted with Indigenous candidates and Indigenous Spirituality. The situation more often than not becomes hostile towards the Native American culture. There is repeatedly an insistence that the Native candidates to priesthood or religious life abandon their sacred inheritance or to leave the seminary or Religious Congregation. • • The most common form of modern expulsion is to coerce the candidate to leave voluntarily. • • I think this is because the average Director realizes to some degree that it is the seminary or religious congregation that is not open to true Native vocations within the Native cultural and spiritual context. They find out that they are not as open as they said they were. This is due to long-term institutionalization of cultural slavery, discrimination and biases all forms of a unique and difficult to recognize racism. • • Rather than to become stuck on the issue of institutional racism, I think it suffices to identify the elements and then quickly move onto positive avenues. Institutional racism is, as the term suggests, racism that has been institutionalized in society as a norm. It is generally considered acceptable Christian behavior. Practitioners are unaware of the unintentional harm. The victim and victimizer have both come to accept the error as part decent living. Past examples would include slavery in the United States up until the Civil war. The apartheid laws and norms following the civil war, and as once found in South Africa, were also institutionalized. It took extensive time and effort for all cultures involved, their governments and Churches to evolve away from such institutions. Intitutes such as racial mascots in sports, Indian "costuming" at Thanksgiving and Halloween, Movies and poor representation in pubic and parochial school history books groomed past, current (and perhaps future) formation directors and staff. • • Slavery, while legal, obligated a Christian slave owner to be kindly disposed to their human property. Christian apartheid idealized separate but equal facilities, whether or not this was the reality. Missionaries sought ways to make the conquered Indigenous Nations of the Americas obey the new colonial governments as proper Christian motivation to "serve" the "Indians." Blessed Catherine Drexel was originally motivated to assist the newly conquered Native American nations when then President Theodore Roosevelt asked for missionaries to go out and "make the Indians obey the government." Today's Approach to Indigenous vocations • • Today's approach comes from outside the colonial mentality. "The Church 'recognizes that it must approach these Americans from within their own culture, taking seriously the spiritual and human riches of that culture which appear in the way they worship, their sense of joy and solidarity, their language and their traditions.'" (Pope John Paul II) • • Blessed Catherine and her Religious foundations have since advanced towards modern methods of inculturation; but it was a slow evolutionary process. This is true with all dioceses and religious orders in the USA, Canada, Mexico as well as Central and South America and the Islands. Every institute is aware of the need to change and advance. The level of this understanding varies, perhaps in relationship to their direct or indirect involvement with Indigenous People. The best solutions, thus far, have come from open dialogue and acceptance of Native Elders as the source of healing, wisdom and general leadership. It is for this reason I feel it is imperative that the Order of St. James becomes established as a Native directed Religious Order. • • Native Directed Church institutes, already established,can help nourish such an order of Friars and hopefully Sisters. The rule and constitution I have drafted is for a convent styled male order of Priests and Brothers in active apostolate works. I did not exclude the vital need of Sisters, but I do not feel qualified as the one to adjust the current Rule and Constitutions for women. I think this has to be done by women. The male and female branches of Jamians would be under separate, but highly cooperative governance. • • I envision a Third Order branch can also be drafted for secular men and women in the single, married and widowed states of life. • • The current draft of the Order of St. James would be fully Native Catholic as well as being fully Catholic Native. Its ecumenical nature would be a natural meeting point of all Christian denominations, Native Protestant and Orthodox denominations and Churches, and with the purely traditional faith parties of Native Peoples. By "Traditional," I am referring to those Native following non-Christian traditions of Sacred Medicine ways. These are not to be interpreted as compromises of faith, doctrines or traditions. These efforts recognize, in a truly unique Native American manner, that we are all related, (Mitakuye Oyasin). Practically every Native American knows the depth of the Mystery I speak of when I say, "We are all related." This relationship is sacred and can be offered as a gift to the Universal Church. Apostolates • • The apostolic works are expected to fulfill the three Jamian virtues: Anointing, Confessing & Intercession, and Conversion found in the letter of St. James. Confessing and Intercession are listed in the Letter of St. James as one virtue - we work for justice and peace. Conversion calls us to constantly reform our lives and to convert our ways to God's ways. Each Jamian is called to conversion as is the Order and all church leaders. We have a special mission to anoint and pray for the sick. Interestingly, the Letter of James calls for singing in the same passage as it tells us to anoint the sick. • • A wide variety of apostolic engagements can also help us fulfill these virtues in pastoral duties, teaching, health care, social work, and trades and in learning. We should avail ourselves of the existing Native and Church programs such as the Sioux Spiritual Center in North Dakota and the Anishinabe Spiritual Center in Ontario, Canada. There is the National Tekakwitha Conference and numerous other conventions and study sources. As we grow, we can support these institutes or help found other programs as the process of inculturation between Church and Indigenous Culture progresses. • • We might be able to assist Diocesan Seminaries and Religious Houses of Formation and other pastoral formations with our trained members. • • The Society of St. Paul states in their constitutions, #72.1, "In those countries where circumstances warrant it, our activity will promote indigenous culture as well." • • This is a worthy and hope filled mandate for any Religious congregation. The Paulines in Canada, adhering to this part of their constitution, published the book "That the World May Believe" (The Development of Papal Social thought on Aboriginal Rights), by Rev. Michael Storge, SSJ. [Editions Paulines, 250 Boul. Saint Francois Nord, Sherbrook, QC, J1E 2B9 - Canada. 1992] • • Fr. Storge is one of several Jesuits famous for their promotion of Indigenous culture within the Church. The book is a very readable version of his Doctorate thesis. • • The Paulines in India has a formation house within their Indigenous Tribal lands. Otherwise, the Society of St. Paul worldwide has done precious little to fulfill their mandate to promote indigenous culture. They are not alone. Many congregations and diocese have written about the need to promote indigenous culture and indigenous vocations, but have found it difficult to know where to begin. • • The Order of St. James would be founded in part to find ways to assist any seminary and religious formation program to exorcize more serious and effective measures to nurture Indigenous Priestly and Religious ministry vocations within the truly indigenous cultural context. I believe the many Orders, Societies and Congregations and the Diocesan seminaries sincerely wish to become more effective in fostering Native American vocations, and in serving Native People and communities in accord with Papal and Church decrees on inculturation. What they need, though, is a religious congregation totally dedicated to Indigenous Culture faith concerns to lead the way. Papal Support & Church Documents on Inculturation with Indigenous Peoples • • The previous Pope, John Paul II, wrote over 230 documents and speeches on inculturation. About a third of these addressed Indigenous populations and concerns. He was very serious about this issue. • • Jamians are to specialize in Church documents regarding Aboriginal Nations. Special attention can be given advances in social and theological sciences from Pope John XXIII through the papacies of Paul VI and John Paul II, and even the current Benedict XVI who argued in defense of Aboriginal rights within the Church and among modern nations. Old colonial justifications of repression were and still are confused with the Gospel message. (ref. Guadium et Spes, no. 43, p. 94). No one should appropriate the Church's authority for his opinion. The advance of inculturation needs enlightened and honest discussion, preserving mutual charity for the common good. • • This page closes with a brief section of John Paul II's Address to the Native Peoples at Ste. Anne de Beaupre, p. 329: • • "As disciples of Jesus Christ, we know that the Gospel calls us to live as his brothers and sisters. We know that Jesus Christ makes possible reconciliation between peoples with all its requirements of conversion, justice and social love. … We shall be able to accept one another with our differences and despite our limitations and sins." Who might initiate the Order of St. James? • • We all rely on the Holy Spirit for that question. At this time, I see potential among the Indigenous individuals who have been coerced out of seminaries and houses of formation coming together to discuss the possibilities of starting this order. There might even be certain Indigenous Priests or Religious of other congregations willing to extend their efforts to guide the new Order of St. James. Some might find it appropriate to obtain dispensations from current allegiances in order to become members of the Order of St. James. Update: New web site - The Order of St. James has been launched This is a new program geared for persons already involved in Native Ministries and Native Concerns. Although it has not been formaly erected as a Religious Order -- the Order of St. James is looking for persons to commit themselves to praying for such an Order. For now, it is a forum for those currently involved with promotion of Indigenous Culture in the Church so they can share experiences and lend support to each other. Seal of the Order of St. James The shorter explanation: • • The most noticeable feature is the three quartz-like hangings incorporated into a typical “Circle of Life” symbol. These three pointed items represent the Three Jamian Virtues as found in the Letter of St. James. The virtues call the Brothers to anoint and heal the wounded and to bind up those who are bruised; to reclaim the erring through confession and intercessions; and to seek the conversion of sinners. • • 1. Anoint & Heal • • 2. Confess and intercession • • 3. Conversion of sinners • • The Circle of Life represents the blessings of the four cardinal directions. In brief, white is the north – knowledge. Yellow is a new dawn, hope and light. Green is the south – growth and life sustaining, warmth. Blue (sometimes black) is the west from where comes all weather, the Thunder Beings and rain – life giving waters for a parched earth and parched hearts. • • The center cross is the Indigenous Cross sharing in Christ’s victory over sin and death. Black is the path of this life; red is the Sacred Path of eternity. Everything is held together by a circle in the very center, God, Grandfather Great Mystery. The expanded explanation: • • Colors of the Circle of Life vary from tribe to tribe, and even within a tribal nation. The attributes of what each direction stands for and the spiritual blessings from each direction are complex and many. These interpretations will also vary among groups. The important message is one should not attempt to fix an absolute or universal definition, order and assignment of colors to all people. • • The cultural protocols of Rome, which affect the way Romans worship, should not be emblazoned upon all people as a prerequisite to baptism in Christ. The colors and their arraignment for the seal of the Order of St. James, therefore, can be changed in accordance to where particular members are from, or in whose tribal lands they are serving. This flexibility is an outward example of our mission for inculturation. • • Weave: (Optional, as found at top of this page) A pronounced look of weaving represents our inter-woven Nations, customs, faith experiences, and walks in life as part of inculturation. • • The three quartz bars: These represent the Holy Trinity. They can also be viewed as feathers. They are also rays of light coming from God to us; Christ is our Light. The red symbolizes blessings from the Trinity, the gathering of living nations, warmth and vitality. The blue stands for sky or water. As sky, note that the sky is between God and us. He is as immanent and he is transcendent. As water, see that the blue rests lower than the green for land. • • The bars can be thought of as lightening bolts announcing the arrival of life giving rain. • • The number three reminds us of the Three Days of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. Three also stands for the Evangelical vows of Poverty, chastity and Obedience, or for the Three Jamian Virtues of anointing and healing, of confessing and conversion, and our obligation to intercessory prayer. (Heal – confess – Pray). Examination of the Seven Sacred Virtues can be incorporated into the three virtues. • • Elements of Life: Rock, air, fire, water. • • The quartzes are rock, the red is fire, and the blue is water and air. • • Spider web (optional) tells us that we did not create the web of life; but, what ever we do to it, we do to others and to ourselves. • • Each of these symbols comes from the many teachings of our Elders. Anyone can look at the Jamian seal and contemplate other things of great meaning to him or herself. • • Ordering a copy of the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of St. James The Rule and Constitutions might make an interesting study for any one currently engaged in Native Concerns or in some form of Pastoral ministry with Native People, even if they do not consider themselves candidates for forming such an Order. The concepts exposed in the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of St. James are viable in a number of applications for Native ministry issues. • • I ask that only serious individuals (Non-Native and Native) consider ordering a copy from me. My postal address and email address are found on the ordering page, home page, and other pages of this Hawk Dancer web site. Although I offer copies free, I appreciate whatever small stipend is sent to defray the cost of postage and printing a copy. There are about 35 pages. I prefer that persons email me about the availability before ordering a copy. 17. click here for recommended reading. Books, DVD, Vatican sources and other items the author has compiled for those researching issues of Native American concerns, ministry and Inculturation. Get the facts from factual sources, not from smiley wanna-be lituricalists, nor from those who can talk endlessly and intellegently about that they know little about.
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