Sister Sharon Karam imagines the prayer of the Potawatomi upon the death of Philippine:
Prayer of the Potawatomi on Hearing of the Death of Philippine
She comes, Great Spirit, She comes soon. Comfort her spirit and care for her passage. Let the grasses of the fields whisper her homecoming. Let the lapping of the Mississippi’s waterChant her back to you.Put out your colors this morning in all four season’s flowers.Let them bloom all at once in her honor.Let the mockingbird, known for cleverness, Imitate all manner of songs, one for each mood of our hearts. For we are sad; she was our sister.We are glad, too; she is your child.We are sorry; too many miles prevent our putting out this blanket Once more, over shoulders.(She learned weaving from our hands; we learned to pray from her face).Let the sun blaze forth her compassion, And the full moon tonight remind us Of her hours praising you in this tent. Our village will keep vigil tonight. Chief declares a fast in her name until tomorrow. We will pray in what was her tentFor both our peoples, and for all those places On the flat map which she left for us. Creator, hear our prayer for her, for our children. For those prairies, trees and rivers.For the faraway mountains and this brook which hold our tears. Hear our sighs for these, our children,That they remember what she taught them And recall her name, for many moons, as your great woman.
Sharon Karam, RSCJ
