Message from Bishop Mark Hagemoen for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30 – PDF
By Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon
As we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, I wish to encourage all to take time for prayer, reflection, and solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.
At this time, we particularly remember and honour Residential School Survivors, and all Indigenous Peoples who continue to deal with the legacy of struggle related to the experience of contact with non-Indigenous peoples and nations. This day is a call for greater awareness and action – that as we continue to work toward truth and reconciliation, we will acknowledge and strive to overcome the past mistakes, arrogance, and misuse of authority that has so often been part of our shared collective history. This day is also a call to move forward together in greater understanding, pursuing justice, and working for a better future for all.
I again renew my pledge that our diocese will continue to walk a path of reconciliation and healing. This is part of our gospel call to reconciliation and solidarity. We strive to walk in love and friendship as sisters and brothers, always working for justice, hope and healing. Let us all continue to take concrete steps on this journey.
St Jerome, whose memorial we also celebrate on September 3o, once stated that the gift of the poor widow in the Gospel (see Mk 12:42-44) – was valued not because of its value or ‘weight’, but by the good will with which her offering was made. Sometimes we may be overwhelmed by the difficulty and complexity of the challenge of ‘reconciliation’ – especially as we look at the current state of our world with all of its examples of conflict and division. However, we pray that our One God, who is Father and Creator of all peoples, will make our hearts true and good, as we seek the healing beyond the hurt, and the shalom – the right relationship beyond any isolation or indifference.
I include below the “Prayer for Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Right-Relationship” authored by the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council in 2023.
Prayer for Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Right-Relationship
O God, Creator and Father of all, with humility we your children acknowledge the relationship of all living things. For this we thank you, we praise you and we worship you.
We call on you, Great Mystery, the Word made Flesh – our teacher, prophet and brother – to open our hearts to all our brothers and sisters, and with them to grow in the wisdom, honesty, courage and respectfulness shown in The Sacred Teachings.
Give us the vision and honesty to recognize that the we are all brothers and sisters of one human family, created and sustained by the One Creator. As we deal with many challenges, may we never give way to fear and anger, which can be the source of division and threat among peoples.
We look to how God always gives to us, as a remedy for sins of prejudice and intolerance. We see in God the Creator of all things, One who always provides and is generous – even given the abuses we have heaped on one another and on the earth.
We see in the Son, Jesus Christ – the innocent Victim who pours His life blood out from the cross for all peoples. We see how the Holy Spirit is God’s gift, alive in our world today – inspiring vision and hope that we can have the same mind and heart of God!
O Creator, show us the way to healing, forgiveness and reconciliation, and a renewed fellowship.
+Amen