August 23: Father Rale's War

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is August 23rd, and our story is Father Rayl's War. Who was Father Sebastian Rayl? It all depends on whom you ask. If you ask the French, Rael was a faithful Jesuit who came to the New World in 1689 and spent 35 years in Quebec and Maine ministering to the Abenaki. If you ask the English, Rael was a rabid French partisan who went about the woods of Maine using British soldiers for target practice.

As the French tell his story, Father Rayle knew that if the British controlled Maine, all priests would be exiled and Catholic practices forbidden. So, understandably, he encouraged the Abenaki to oppose British encroachment. As the English tell it, Father Rail was a bloody incendiary who fought side by side with the natives. For that, the British put a price on his head, repeatedly tried to capture him, and even named their skirmishes with the French in Abenaki between 1722 and 1725, Father Rail's War.

The French say Father Rall died a martyr on August 23, 1724, when British and Mohawk raiders invaded Rall's parish in Norwich Walk, Maine. Attempting to draw attention away from his flock so more could escape, a wounded Rall crawled to the center of the village and died there at the foot of a cross. The English say Father Rall died a villain, shot in his cabin while reloading his pistol.

Both, however, agree that after Father Rall died, his body was mutilated, his scalp was taken to Boston, and the English Abenaki Dictionary he wrote was given to Harvard. So, who was the real Father Rall? Although the English account dominated American history books, the enduring faith of the Abenaki people suggests that the truth lies elsewhere. Even after the tribe lost their pastor, the Abenaki refused to allow Protestant preachers or Protestant Bibles in their villages. Fifty years later, they only agreed to support the American Revolution after George Washington promised to send them a Jesuit.

And as recently as 1986, they gave America her first Native American bishop, Bishop Donald Pallott of the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico. Father Rawls' story reminds us that perspective shapes history, but faith and integrity endure beyond politics. Even amid controversy, standing with those we serve can leave a profound and lasting impact. Reflect on someone in your life you can support selflessly this week. Offer encouragement or aid without expecting recognition.

Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, August 24th, for another story of faith and courage in America.