Death Alone Can Separate Me from Them

The Mission of Fr. Sebastian Rale to the Abenakis of Maine

The east bank of the Kennebec, near
where the Narantsouack mission was
located.

Follow the Kennebec River from its mouth in Bath, past Old Fort Western in Augusta, past Taconic Falls in Waterville, past the river's westward turn in Skowhegan, and there on the east bank, you will find a cemetery in what is now Madison, Maine. Before the cemetery was ever there, before the mill at Taconic Falls was ever running, even before Old Fort Western was built, there once was a mission that stood here and its last pastor was a priest by the name of Fr. Sebastian Rale. Ashes are all that remain of this once great 17th century mission to the Abenakis.

To read Fr. Rale's description of this mission, it sounds like it was a veritable Christian paradise. Fr. Rale spent his days baptizing, saying Mass, offering counsel, anointing the sick, catechizing children and in all things pointing the Abenaki people to Jesus Christ. He built two chapels on the banks of the Kennebec: one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the head of the river and the other dedicated to the Guardian Angel. The natives of the village saw to it that these two chapels were well adorned, but nothing could compare to the church. Fr. Rale writes to his nephew that he thought it his duty to spare nothing in its decoration, “altar-cloths, chasubles, copes, sacred vessels, everything is suitable, and would be esteemed in the Churches of Europe.”

Fr. Pierre Biard (one of the
early Jesuit missionaries in
Maine) offering Mass for the
native Americans.

More notable than the buildings themselves were the people who filled them. Twice a day the Neophytes came to the church, in the morning to hear Mass and in the evening to be present at the prayers which Fr. Rale offered at sunset. It was more than obedience that brought them to Mass. The Neophytes chanted prayers throughout the Mass that Fr. Rale designed to help them enter the spirit of the Holy Sacrifice. About forty altar boys assisted in cassock surplice at the Mass and in the processions and for the processions, native Americans came from near and far to be present.

But although the Prince of Peace reigned supreme on the banks of the Kennebec, just down the coast trouble was brewing. Fr. Rale’s post among the Abeankis was at the southwest border of the territory claimed by New France. As the New England colonists pushed north, the Kennebec River became a contentious border and the Narantsouack mission became an increasingly dangerous place for a priest to be.

The conflict began with a trade deal. The native Americans lacked the complex economy of the Europeans that could produce tools. The Europeans lacked the abundant wilderness and the hunting skills which the native Americans used to provide furs. Therefore trade was profitable for the Europeans and necessary for the natives. Traditionally the Abenakis traded with the French who were their allies, but the English were much closer to them in Boston than the French in Quebec. When the English asked permission to build trading posts near Narantsouack, the Abenakis agreed. It was to their advantage to have easy to access to trade with the English.

Fort Halifax, located on the Kennebec River in present day
Winsow, Maine

Trade was not what the English had in mind. Territory was. Rather than build trading posts, the English built forts. The forts were built closer and closer to Abenaki territory and when the Abenakis demanded to know why, the English replied that their land belonged to them.

Tensions grew. A group of about twenty Abenakis went to the English colony with the intention of trading when suddenly they were surrounded by two hundred armed men. They were prepared to fight for their lives, but the colonists dissuaded them by saying they only wanted them to come with them to Boston to make a trade deal. Four native Americans boarded that ship and soon found themselves prisoners being held for ransom.

Further kidnappings by the British followed. Negotiations were had but none were fruitful and eventually war broke out.

A depiction of Fr. Rale found
in Notre Dame Church in
Skowhegan, Maine

It seems clear enough that aggressive expansion on the part of the English caused the war, but who did the English blame for it? None other than the missionary to the Abenakis, Fr. Rale. With each attempt on the part of the English to convince the Abenakis to ally with themselves, Fr. Rale stood in the way. The English blamed it on political intrigue, but that would be hard to imagine for a man who renounced the world and voluntarily chose a life of poverty away from France dedicated to the salvation of souls. No, it was the faith that held the Abenakis back from an English alliance. If they allied with the English, they knew they would not permit them to have a priest and having encountered Our Lord in the sacraments, they were not going to give Him up so easily.

Thus Fr. Rale became a wanted man. A high price was put on his head (or rather, his scalp.) Several attempts were made to capture or kill him. In January of 1722, two young Abenakis were hunting by the seashore, when they got news that the English had entered the Kennebec River. The village of Narantsouack was vulnerable. The men were all out hunting and only the women and children were left along with one other notable person: Fr. Rale. The two young Abenakis saw the danger immediately. The English boats were within 35 miles of the village and they immediately turned back to the village and ran as fast as they could (dozens of miles) to warn Fr. Rale and help the old men, women and children escape in time.

When the two messengers arrived at Narantsouack, there wasn’t much time left. Fr Rale consumed the sacred hosts in the tabernacle, packed up the sacred vessels and then escaped into the woods. He wasn’t able to make it far. It was winter, the snow was deep and a badly injured leg didn’t permit him to run far. When the English arrived at the village, he was only a within a gunshot’s range. There were no leaves on the trees, there was no place to hide and the English, having not found him in the village, were now on the hunt. Fr. Rale writes to his nephew:

Pine trees near the old Narantsouack mission. This is likely
what Fr. Rale was attempting to hide behind.

They immediately searched the various paths worn by the Savages when they go for wood, and came within eight steps of the tree that was sheltering me, where naturally they must have perceived me, for the trees had shed their leaves; nevertheless, as if they had been driven away by an invisible hand, they suddenly retraced their steps, and again took the way to the Village.

Jesus Christ had plans for Fr. Rale. It was not his time yet; there was still more to be done in the service of Great King.

It was becoming increasingly clear that it was not safe for Fr. Rale in Narantsouack. As much as the Abenakis loved their priest who had been with them for thirty years, they loved him too much to see him stay in harm’s way. They begged him to leave, to go someplace where it was safe. But the shepherd refused to leave his flock. Fr. Rale writes to his nephew, “My Neophytes moved by the danger to which I am exposed in their Village, often urge me to retire for a little time to Quebec. But what will become of the flock, if it be deprived of its Shepherd? Death alone can separate me from them.”

That day finally came in August of 1724. Covered by the dense thickets around the village, 1100 Englishmen and their Iroquois allies snuck up on the village of Narantsouack. Since there was no wall around the village, they were able to approach completely unnoticed and as soon as they arrived, they rained down musket fire on the innocent civilians.

The death of Fr. Rale at the foot of the
cross.

The alarm went up, but there were only fifty warriors present in the village. Outnumbered 22:1, there was little chance of them warding off the enemy. Their only hope was to grab their weapons and perhaps oppose them long enough to allow the women and children to escape.

Fr. Rale meanwhile heard the commotion. His Neophytes were in danger and he had to do something about it. In the middle of the attack, Fr. Rale stepped out of his house and appeared fearlessly before the enemy. Perhaps he hoped to negotiate and dissuade the attackers. Perhaps he simply hoped to draw their attention to himself alone and so keep his flock safe. Whatever his intentions, the attackers were not slow in noticing him.

The reports we have on this incident are from a letter from Fr. De La Chasse, Fr. Rale’s Jesuit superior. He in turn received these reports from eyewitnesses who were present at the massacre. This is what he records:

As soon as they perceived the Missionary, a general shout was raised which was followed by a storm of musket-shots that was poured upon him. He dropped dead at the foot of a large cross that he had erected in the midst of the Village, in order to announce the public profession that was made therein of adoring a crucified God. Seven Savages who were around him, and were exposing their lives to guard that of their father, were killed by his side.

Thus ended the life of Fr. Rale. He gave his life to satisfying the thirst of Christ who hung on the cross longing for souls. Now Fr. Rale laid down his life at the foot of the cross, choosing to die rather than abandon those souls entrusted to him by God.

The monument in St. Sebastian
Cemetery, marking the resting
place of Fr. Sebastian Rale.

Sadly, the massacre wasn’t over. The Abenakis tried to flee across the river, but the English shot them while they desperately tried to swim. Still, the carnage could have been worse. Although 150 fugitives gathered in the woods, only thirty were killed. Meanwhile, the English burned the village. The church that had recently rebuilding was torched once again, but not before the Holy Eucharist was snatched out of the tabernacle and the Precious Body of Our Lord basely profaned. 

"I thirst!"

When all was over, the Abenaki people returned to the ruins of their beloved village. They beheld the ashes to which their church had been reduced. Taking the body of their holy missionary, which had been badly mutilated, they dug a grave where the day before the altar had stood and laid their priest to rest. He had stood there at the foot of Calvary Hill offering Mass for them day after day and now, having gone to his own Calvary, there he would rest until Jesus Christ would come again.

These were some of the first seeds of faith planted on Maine soil. They were watered by the arduous labors of men and women who fell in love with Christ and answered His call to bring Him souls. And still Christ hangs on the cross, thirsting for souls. Still there are souls who stray away from His love. Who will pick up the cross? Who will bear His love to them? Who will satiate His thirst? The first seeds have been scattered, the part of the early missionaries is done. Now it is for us to take up that same cross and follow Him.