The Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians with Tribal Leader Anthony Morales blessed a kiiy (Tongva home) on the grounds of San Gabriel Mission Oct. 26. The placing of the kiiy and its blessing in the garden of the mission marks a continual effort to acknowledge the contributions of Native Americans to the mission and to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles throughout its history.

The blessing ceremony followed a Mass celebrating the Claretian Missionaries' centennial at San Gabriel Mission, led by Claretian Missionary Father Rosendo Urrabazo, vicar general.

The congregation walked in procession from the Chapel of the Annunciation to the Mission garden and cemetery with the Tongva people, San Gabriel Region Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala, Father Urrabazo, Father Stephen Niskanen, pastor, and other Claretian priests who have served at San Gabriel Mission. Native American Concerns Council, Father Tom Schweitzer, chaplain for the Native American Catholic Community in the archdiocese, and other Native Americans attended as well.

Andrew Morales led in the singing of traditional songs and the blessing of the four directions. Then he blessed the kiiy in Tongva while Matthew Lovio played a holy tribal song on his flute. Bishop Zavala then gave a bundle of sacred tobacco to Anthony Morales. The bishop noted that along with the Claretian missionaries buried in the cemetery are some 6,000 Tongva. This includes tribal ancestors who built San Gabriel Mission in 1771. After Anthony Morales thanked the Claretians for their 100 years of work at the mission, Carol Ramirez said the Our Father in Tongva.

Prior to 2006, the Our Father had not been prayed at San Gabriel Mission in the language of its builders. Tribal botanist Mark Acuņa gave a book about the care of native plants to mission curator Chuck Lyons. Earlier this year in the summer, there was a dedication to the tribe's ancestors during which native plants were restored to the mission gardens. A reception followed the blessing of the kiiy.

Anthony Morales said that it is an honor to be able to continue to still exist and network with the mission. Father Niskanen said he was proud to celebrate the centennial of the Claretian missionaries and to recognize the presence and spirituality of the Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, and the diverse cultural and spiritual community at San Gabriel Mission. Father Urrabazo said it is a blessing for the Claretians to have the opportunity to serve the Church and to be part of the history and mission of God's people at the mission.