Curia Corner — Original edition of “Black Elk Speaks” on display

By Kathy Cordes
Diocesan Archivist

This month, I’m taking you on a behind the scenes look at the cause of canonization for Nicholas Black Elk. We, the diocesan Black Elk working committee, continue to work to promote Nicholas as “A Saint of Our Times.”

The committee would like to welcome our newest members: Beverly Running Bear, St. Isaac Jogues, Rapid City; Dr. Michael Taylor, University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D.; and Damion Costello, Vermont; and Fr. Dan Juelfs, Diocesan Administrator, who has been with us since the beginning as Promoter of Justice, serving as a witness to the verification of reports matching the interviews that were conducted.

Since 2021, we’ve sent out 50,000 prayer cards, 50,000 of the canonization prayers, and a short pamphlet covering his life. We continue to send them out to parishes and schools all over the world. We are grateful that our printer will run a second printing soon!

Many have requested relics for Black Elk. At this time, we can only send out prayer cards and information since relics are reserved for saints. When Black Elk is determined to the level of ‘blessed’ in his cause of sainthood, this book and several other papers that contain his signature may become a second-class relic. There are three stages to becoming a saint; venerable, blessed and finally, sainthood. Right now, we are at the Servant of God stage indicating that our diocese has opened a cause for his canonization and the investigation into his holy life has been accepted by Rome.

A signed copy of “Black Elk Speaks” is now on display at the Chancery! This book is about his life as Oglala Lakota Holy Man and Catholic Catechist. It is a rare, first edition copy on loan from the Red Cloud Heritage Center in Pine Ridge; we appreciate their collaboration with our diocesan archives.

Nicholas Black Elk, pray for us!  St. Kateri, pray for us! Bishop Peter, with your joyous conversations with Nicholas and intercessions for our diocese, pray for us!