Native American Smudging Ceremony

[Bro_Joshua]

I went to “stations of the cross” service last Friday night. Two native americans led the ceremony. I felt everything was done properly until the end when they asked if anyone wanted to be “purified” to come up and receive “smudging”. About 98% of the congregation went ahead and left…I was struggling not to make perplexed faces and left also. What in the world? Why would that be allowed, when that is strictly not taught by the Catholic religion? There is no purification from sin except by the blood of Christ…

Does anyone know anything about this?

I think part of the problem is with the term “purified.” words are percieved different by different people or groups. Smudging is an interesting word. I would perfere to say a blessing of some sort, or a sage-ing. The Indigenous inscences are full herbs, burned as they are. they are genearlay not crushed into evergreen sap like the insence of the Mediterarian and Near East countries. Most Catholics are familiar with herb offerings that are molded into the tree sap and then crushed into small pebble like pieces and burned on a piece of charcoal.

The Church has never demanded that all inscence must be made like this. It is permissible to use local indigenous forms, such as sage or sweet grass.Many things about the over 550 First Nations have been poorly or too generally translated and are easily misunderstood. Purification in this case has to do with the act of getting one in a good mind and heart spiritualy - for prayer.

Other persons posting here did well to suggest that the prayers and blessings done with Indigenous herbs should be performed at the discression of Native communities or persons and not copied by those outside of the culture. The original inquiry did mention the prayer (smudging) was conducted by Native Americans.

Although it would be nice if an explanation was given before hand, I also figure that the Ethnic Folks (non-Native) have been coming here for well over 500 years. I think that is plenty of time to become aquainted with our languages and customs. I don’t think we should be obliged to explain ourselves each time we are in a mixed cultural or mixed race setting. We should be able to pray and inculturate our ways with the Christian faith without having to get permissions and give explanations all the time.

We seldom get these opportunites to take a leading role in our Church. There is nothing pagan here. I think that word Pagan is used too quickly. It is best not to get involved in a ritual one is not comfortable with. The invitation as stated by the original inquirer was gentle and not forceful. That is typical of Native culture in general - one may come if they want to, but one should never feel obliged to join in if they have questions or quams. We are not a very forceful people when it comes to telling others how they must pray.