March 13: The Watching Eagle

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is March 13th, and our story is The Watching Eagle. When the West was still wild, Native Americans coined names for the priests who ministered in their midst. For Father William Ketchum, they coined the name Wanliwakiata, or The Watching Eagle. Born in Iowa and raised in Texas, Ketchum was intrigued by Catholicism as a teenager.

Before his 18th birthday, he told his Puritan parents he wished to convert. Rather than oppose the decision, his parents encouraged him. Years later, they would surprise everyone by converting as well. Before then, however, the family moved to Oklahoma, where Ketchum first encountered the Catholic missions to the Native Americans.

His desire to work with the missions in turn led him to the priesthood. Ketchum was ordained on March 13, 1892, the first vocation for the Indian Territory of Oklahoma. Over the next eight years, with the help of Mother Catherine Drexel, Father Ketchum built six churches and several schools for the Native Americans in his region.

Opposed by Protestant missionaries at every turn, they accused him of sheep-stealing. Ketchum withstood legal challenges as well as threats to his life in order to carry out his work. In 1900, Ketchum was put in charge of the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions.

Despite the waning interest in their work, Ketchum nevertheless pieced together enough funding to keep the schools open. Ketchum died suddenly in 1921. At his funeral, the presiding priest recalled his Indian name, Wambli Wakiyata, saying, For ten years in Indian territory, he watched at the doors of the Indian homes. He noted as a father their comings in and goings out. For twenty years more, as a faithful guardian, he watched in Congress where laws were made, and in courts lest they might be unmade.

And before the altar of God he daily watched and prayed. Father Ketchum was, indeed, Wambli Wakiyata, the Watching Eagle, the truest and best and most powerful friend of the Indians of his generation. Father Ketchum's life teaches that faithful vigilance requires courage, persistence, and compassion.

Our faith calls us to watch over those entrusted to us, to defend justice, and to serve consistently. Even when it goes unrecognized or seems difficult, identify a community or cause in need of faithful attention. Consider what small but consistent action you can take this week to support or protect it. Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, March 14th, for another story of faith and courage in America.