Official Guidelines for Tekakwitha Conference Liturgies

I. PRINCIPLES FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LOCAL BISHOP 

1. The director of the Tekakwitha Conference visits with local bishop a year before the National Conference is held. 

1.1.2. Discusses local norms for liturgy in the diocese. 

1.1.3. Acquaints the bishop with the history of the Conference and gives him a written summary of what has been done in the past at liturgical celebrations. 

1.2. The director appoints a liaison for Conference Liturgies to work with the bishop and local Native liturgical planning committee. 

1.2.1. The liaison helps the local planning committee develop liturgies and prayer servicesand sees that the plans conform to diocesan requirements and to the guidelines of the Conference. 

II. HISTORY 
Click Here to see History of Inculturation at Past Conferences

III. GUIDLINES FOR LOCAL COMMITTEE 

3.1. Conference liturgies stress local culture(s). They are an opportunity for people to experience the prayerful traditions of the local Native community or communities. 

3.2. The Conference tries to avoid pan-indianization of any given liturgy. The host group may have one or more liturgies that reflect their cultural and religious heritage. But it may also be appropriate for one of the liturgies to reflect another tradition provided the people of that culture offer the prayer realizing there are some consistancies across groups. For example a Lakota should pray Lakota style and not mix symbols or prayers from other traditions. 

3.3. The opening and closing liturgies are more important and thus liturgies. The other liturgies should be simple and tastefully done. 

3.4. It is appropriate and helpful to have a brief explanation of local symbols and ceremonies before the liturgy. 

3.5. The Conference tries to maximize the participation of members of the convention. 

3.6. Provide an adequate number of communion ministers. 

3.7.Respect Catholic traditions as well as Native traditions. 

3.8. The Conference wishes to emphasize Native participation in the liturgies by using native deacons, lectors, and lay Eucharistic ministers. There are usually a large number of priests at the Conference who also are welcome to participate. Since this is a teaching situation permission should be sought to include some Native Eucharistic ministers in order to demonstrate this kind of ministry to those who attend. 

IV. GUIDING PRINCIPLES 

1. Religious symbols and songs and dances are more appropriate for the liturgy than social symbols songs and dances. 

2. Consult tribal elders and experts about what may be used and respect their opinions. Handle the symbols, songs and dances in a respectful manner. Utilize diocesan guidelines when they exist, such as the Diocese of Rapid City. 

3. Only Native people should handle native symbols and rituals. 

4.Only Christian Native people, respected by their church communities, are invited to pray with these symbols at conference liturgies and prayer services. 

5. The symbols, songs and dances are meant to enhance the liturgy and bring people to a deeper Christian prayer experience. 

V. ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE ROMAN LITURGY 

1. The Liturgy of the Eucharist follows the outline of the Liturgical Books. 

2. Bread and wine are used at the Eucharist. 

2.1 The top of the altar should have a cloth and corporal of a color sacred to the specific cultural group. 

2.2 The Book of the Gospels should be carried in the entrance procession. 

3. Enhancements may take place: 

3.1 Entrance - Native songs, drums, dance 

3.2. Penitential Rite-cleansing rites (e.g. smoke purification) 

3.3. Gospel Acclamation - Native song, drums, dance. Smoke blessing of the Gospel. 

3.4. Prayer of the Faithful - e.g. tobacco ofering, pipe ceremony, different ways local people pray. 

3.5. Offertory Procession-Native songs, drums, dance. Smoke blessing of the gifts. 

3.6. Proclamation of Faith - Native songs, drums, dance 

3.7. The Great Amen - Native songs, drums, dance. 

3.8. Closing Procession - Native songs, drums,dance. 

3.9. Signing of Our Father or other sacred songs during communion meditation. 

3.10. Periodic Responses during the Eucharistic prayer-sung response

3.11. Native languages should be used when possible.