Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Gary Johnson, OFM Conv. (Vicar Provincial) and Fr. Joe Angelini, OFM Conv. (Shrine Director & Chaplain) welcomed the Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop of Syracuse, NY, over the October 8 & 9, 2022 weekend, to our National Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine, in Fonda, NY in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Included in the Indigenous Peoples Weekend Celebration was an opening of the museum exhibit, “Tracing the Steps of Kateri Tekakwitha: From 17th-Century Orphan to 21st Century Saint,” followed by a talk by Dr. Damian Costello, NAIITS, “The Strength of Saint Kateri and Nicholas Black Elk, Servant of God” and the official release of “The Holy Tapestry of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha’s Life,” a coloring book written and designed by Karla Aurora Kozach, who was available in the Gift Shop for a book signing.

With the St. Kateri Reliquary placed on the altar of the Kolbe Pavilion, the 4:30 p.m. October 8th Vigil Mass, and the 10:30 a.m. October 9th Mass were celebrated by Bishop Lucia, and concelebrated by Friar Gary and Friar Joe (pictured above), with a talk during Mass by Sister Kateri Mitchell, SSA, a Sister of the Sisters of Saint Anne and member of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne.  After the 10:30 a.m. Mass, Bishop Lucia and Friar Gary led the annual burning of prayer petitions, on the grounds of the Shrine (pictured below).