Blessed and Dedicated

Every summer nearly 2,000 young boys and girls attend Camp Abbey’s week-long summer camp sessions to escape the noise of the world and grow in faith. Even more attend parish retreats and youth events throughout the year, and now, thanks to the generosity of the Women’s Giving Circle, this place which has long been considered sacred ground by campers and camp alumni, is home to original sacred art.

Two new paintings by local artist Jaclyn Warren, one of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha and one of Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk grace the chapel and a new set of stone Stations of the Cross by Baton Rouge sculptor Deborah Luke will draw young people along a prayerful path through the outdoors. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond blessed and dedicated the new pieces during a special ceremony on October 19.

According to Billy O’Regan, Camp Abbey Summer Camp Coordinator and Development Director, the paintings are the first two original pieces of art to ever adorn the walls of the chapel. As for the Stations of the Cross, while their exact placement is yet to be determined, O’Regan was certain of their importance.

“What we do know is that we want to draw the teenagers and children who come here into the beautiful outdoors as they contemplate the passion of Christ,” said O’Regan. “The beauty of the artwork and of the forest will certainly make this a popular offering for youth ministers and their students.”

Who are St. Kateri and Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk? 

St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American Saint, beatified in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. She was a Mohawk/Algonquin who lived in the late 1600s in present day New York and later Canada.

“She has been our patron at Camp Abbey since we re-opened (in 2012),” said O’Regan.

Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk was a leader in the Oglala Lakota tribe in South Dakota. He lived in a more contemporary time than St. Kateri, passing away at the age of 86 in 1950. He was a second cousin of the war leader Crazy Horse and fought with him in the Battle of Little Bighorn. He survived the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. He toured and performed in Europe as part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West.

“He received visions, beginning in his childhood, which he understood in a new light after his conversion to Catholicism in 1904,” said O’Regan. “He was baptized on the feast of St. Nicholas and adopted the name. He became a devoted catechist, sharing the good news and assisting with the administration of his parish.”

Saint Kateri and Servant of God Nicholas were selected for the chapel because of their special connection to the outdoors and the inspirational lives they lived.

Camp Abbey through the years

Camp Abbey opened its doors to campers in 1960 through a partnership between the Knights of Columbus and the Monks of St. Joseph Abbey. In 2006, citing rising costs and insurance issues, Camp Abbey was temporarily closed.

After six years of dormancy, in the year leading up to the summer of 2012, the Archdiocese entered into an agreement with the monks to breathe new life into the ministry.

“The leadership of Archbishop Aymond, then just two years into his service as our archbishop was the reason that this all happened,” said O’Regan addressing Archbishop Aymond during the ceremony. “You approached the monastic community, you approached donors and you took a leap of faith to restart this ministry.”

“I invite all of you to pray for Camp Abbey,” concluded O’Regan. “We host retreats almost every weekend and many weekdays and employ more than 150 High School and College students in the summer. There is a lot to be thankful for and much work to do to keep this facility functioning. We are grateful for your prayers and support.”