Nicholas Black Elk, a former
Lakota medicine man from South Dakota, is on the path of sainthood. The Mass, which opened his cause for
canonization, was celebrated by Bishop Robert Gruss on October 21 at Holy
Rosary Church near Pine Ridge, S.D. During his homily, Bishop Gruss said that
Black Elk was open to the Spirit of God in his life from a very young age. “God
used a personal invitation from a Jesuit priest to lead this child of God,
Black Elk, down a new path to becoming this great disciple in the Catholic
faith for the Lakota people,” he said.
Lakota medicine man from South Dakota, is on the path of sainthood. The Mass, which opened his cause for
canonization, was celebrated by Bishop Robert Gruss on October 21 at Holy
Rosary Church near Pine Ridge, S.D. During his homily, Bishop Gruss said that
Black Elk was open to the Spirit of God in his life from a very young age. “God
used a personal invitation from a Jesuit priest to lead this child of God,
Black Elk, down a new path to becoming this great disciple in the Catholic
faith for the Lakota people,” he said.
He was born sometime between
1858 and 1866 and was known as a great medicine man. Two early biographies of
Black Elk ignore that the last 50 years of his life, he was Catholic. In Black
Elk: Holy Man of Oglala, author Michael Steltenkamp explained
that Black Elk’s life in the 20th century as a Catholic was quite different
from his life as a Sioux warrior and holy man in the 19th century.
1858 and 1866 and was known as a great medicine man. Two early biographies of
Black Elk ignore that the last 50 years of his life, he was Catholic. In Black
Elk: Holy Man of Oglala, author Michael Steltenkamp explained
that Black Elk’s life in the 20th century as a Catholic was quite different
from his life as a Sioux warrior and holy man in the 19th century.
His daughter Lucy Looks
Twice said that her father became a Catholic missionary who had traveled with
the Jesuits to help convert the tribes of Arapahoes, Winnebagos, Omahas and
others. One missionary estimated that Black Elk was responsible for around four
hundred converts.
Twice said that her father became a Catholic missionary who had traveled with
the Jesuits to help convert the tribes of Arapahoes, Winnebagos, Omahas and
others. One missionary estimated that Black Elk was responsible for around four
hundred converts.
According to Lucy, her
father embraced his new Catholic faith, and that is what ultimately brought him
great respect among his people. “I learned to my great astonishment that Black
Elk’s prestige in the reservation community was not attributable to the
popularity from his two books,” Steltenkamp wrote. “Prestige he had, but it was
the result of his very active involvement with priests in establishing
Catholicism among his people
father embraced his new Catholic faith, and that is what ultimately brought him
great respect among his people. “I learned to my great astonishment that Black
Elk’s prestige in the reservation community was not attributable to the
popularity from his two books,” Steltenkamp wrote. “Prestige he had, but it was
the result of his very active involvement with priests in establishing
Catholicism among his people
Black Elk considered his
conversion a part of his search for God. The former warrior did not pine away
for the past, but embraced the new world around him. He actually traveled
in the eastern U.S. and even Europe, joining Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show
in 1886 and even entertaining Queen Victoria. His reputation as a Sioux holy
man was used to attract crowds. Black Elk was also a second cousin to Crazy
Horse and had been present during George Armstrong Custer’s last stand at the
Battle of the Little Bighorn.
conversion a part of his search for God. The former warrior did not pine away
for the past, but embraced the new world around him. He actually traveled
in the eastern U.S. and even Europe, joining Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show
in 1886 and even entertaining Queen Victoria. His reputation as a Sioux holy
man was used to attract crowds. Black Elk was also a second cousin to Crazy
Horse and had been present during George Armstrong Custer’s last stand at the
Battle of the Little Bighorn.
His first wife was Catholic had
their three children baptized. He also
became Catholic after she died in 1904. When
he remarried, his second wife and children were all baptized. Black Elk became
a catechist in 1907. He died on August 19, 1950.
their three children baptized. He also
became Catholic after she died in 1904. When
he remarried, his second wife and children were all baptized. Black Elk became
a catechist in 1907. He died on August 19, 1950.
At the Mass to open his
cause, Bishop Gruss said Black Elk had helped others to live in balance as both
Lakotas and Catholics. “He melded whatever he could from his Lakota culture
into his Christian life,” he said. “He challenged people to renew themselves,
to seek this life that Christ offers them.”
cause, Bishop Gruss said Black Elk had helped others to live in balance as both
Lakotas and Catholics. “He melded whatever he could from his Lakota culture
into his Christian life,” he said. “He challenged people to renew themselves,
to seek this life that Christ offers them.”
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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