New Documentary Explores the History and Contributions of Native American Catholicism

NEW HAVEN, Conn., May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new documentary produced by the Knights of Columbus on Native American Catholicism will air on ABC affiliated stations through a partnership with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC) beginning May 16, 2021.

Enduring Faith: The Story of Native American Catholicism explores the rich contribution and witness that Native American Catholics have given to the faith over the course of nearly 500 years.

"The history and deeply ingrained traditions of Native American Catholics demonstrate how Christ reveals himself through the uniqueness of every culture," Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said. "Our hope is that this film will inspire a greater appreciation of the faithful witness of Native American Catholics."

The documentary begins in the 16th century, when Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, appeared to St. Juan Diego as a mestiza woman. The film goes on to explore the life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first canonized Native American saint, and the 20^th-century Lakota healer, Nicholas Black Elk, whose cause for canonization is currently open in Rome.  

The film examines the spiritual and cultural gifts of Native American Catholics, the wrongs inflicted upon them by the often unjust policies of the British and American governments, and how Native American Catholics today continue to live out their faith in fully inculturated ways.

The documentary is part of the Knights of Columbus Native Solidarity initiative. First announced at the 137th Supreme Convention in 2019, the Native Solidarity initiative began with a partnership between the Knights, the Diocese of Gallup, N.M., and the Southwest Indian Foundation to build a shrine to St. Kateri in the Southwest United States. As the Covid-19 pandemic struck, as part of Native Solidarity and the Order's "Leave No Neighbor Behind", Knights brought necessities to thousands of native and indigenous communities in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Hawaii that were struck particularly hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Knights has also collaborated with Life is Sacred, a native-run non-profit committed to building a culture of life and a civilization of love, and the Black and Indian Mission Office.

Enduring Faith: The Story of Native American Catholicism will air primarily on Sundays. To find air times for your area, visit kofc.org/enduringfaith.

About the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is one of the world's leading fraternal and service organizations with 2 million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 77 million service hours and $187 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also offers extensive life insurance services to members and their families, resulting in more than $114 billion of life insurance in force. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors offers investment services to individuals and institutions in accord with Catholic social teaching and has over $26 billion in assets under management. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, to creating a legacy of giving, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 138 years. To learn more please visit us at kofc.org.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus

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