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In his native tongue of Tamil, Susai Jesu’s name literally translates to Joseph Jesus.
Catholicism runs deep in the Indian-born priest who was recently appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, which covers northern regions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
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As a young boy, his mother would take him to church regularly at 4:30 in the morning and again in the evening.
“That’s how I strengthened my faith — directly from my Mom who gave me the seed for the religious vocation.”
During his time as a catechist, leading prayer service, as choir master, and altar boy, he noticed something that didn’t sit well with him. The priest would offer mass, but leave right away.
“There were lots of elderly women and men waiting to meet and receive blessings from the priest, but that wasn’t the case,” said Jesu.
“I decided myself, if I ever became a priest, I would be available, at service, any time. So, availability is key for my becoming a priest.”
Jesu also believes availability will be the key to fostering reconciliation and stronger relationships as he oversees ministry of nearly 50,000 Catholics, who are mostly Indigenous.
Archbishop Jesu often incorporates Indigenous culture into his mass celebrations. (Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton/Facebook)
Jesu isn’t new to northern Saskatchewan. He spent seven years as a priest for Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay where he sat with Elders learning the Cree language through prayer and singing.
Elders continue to play a big role in his personal and professional life. His recent episcopal ordination and installation mass began with traditional drumming, prayers in Cree and Dene and blessings from Elders.
During his time at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in The Pas, MB he included Indigenous elements in his mass celebrations, like smudging. He’s also eager to incorporate more Medicine Wheel teachings.
“I’m hopeful that, you know, Indigenous spirituality and Catholic spirituality can blend and be parallel, which I can see very well.”
Having visited almost 40 Indigenous communities, including those only accessible by plane, Jesu said he’s learned a lot about the abuses and impacts of residential schools.
“I, being an Indian, was able to insert myself with the Indigenous peoples quite easily. They trusted me, and I trusted them.”
After seeing high suicide rates and other struggles in the north, he realized, in order to properly serve his ministry, he would need more counselling skills to help those who lost their identity.
He attended St. Paul University in Ottawa, and earned a Master’s Degree in Counselling and Spirituality to gain specialized skills for his ministry with Indigenous and inner-city communities.
He noticed three groups of people. The first is a small percentage who have healed themselves, accepted the past and moved on. The second group, he said, is on the healing journey. The third and biggest group is of those who “got stuck.”
“Fragile…they lost the trust. They’re angry at the church, they’re angry at the priest, they’re angry, and so then they take drugs and alcohol. That is the targeted group I would like to focus on.”
He knows it will be a big challenge. His first order of business is to just “be with them.’
“I will listen to them and ask how we can help them when they’re stuck, to move forward. How can we help them heal? I believe with the help of community members, Chief and council, we can work together and say, ‘How can we help them?’”
Liz Settee is a highly respected Indigenous Elder and knowledge keeper based in Prince Albert. Taking note of her own experiences, she said being more inclusive will help heal past trauma and move toward reconciliation. A few years ago, Calvary United Church Reverend Nora Vedress asked Settee to smudge with her congregation.
“She had me smudge instead of communion, and ninety-eight per cent of the congregation got up and smudged, which had Nora in tears because she didn’t think that many people from her congregation would get up and do that.”
Settee said she’s gone back to smudge at the United Church two or three times a year ever since.
“It’s about opening up eyes to other perspectives, and it’s opening up hearts and minds.
“It’s going to go a long way in helping people heal and in building trust, which is part of relationship building. And, that he [Jesu] is willing to take on the counselling and the Cree language so he can have a better understanding is amazing,” said Settee.
Jesu said being in Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay made him into the priest he is today.
“We can definitely make a difference, and I’m asking everybody to bless me, please. That’s all I need and we can work together and move forward.”
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