“The Nine Acts” in Western Abenaki (1832) and Penobscot (1856)
[Sources:
1. The Native texts below are probably translations of a French original much like that given here, which is taken from https://www.paroissestjoseph.org/prieres/extrait-du-catechisme-de-l-eglise-catholique/64-les-9-actes.
2. Western Abenaki text from: Desfossés, Basilide. 1832. Kagakimzouiasis ueji Uo’banakiak adali kimo’gik aliuitzo’ki Za Plasua. (Small catechism for Abenakis who are studying in a place called St. Francis.) Quebec: Fréchette.
3. Penobscot text from: Vetromile, Eugene. 1856. Indian good book: For the benefit of the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, St. John’s, Micmac, and other tribes of the Abnaki Indians. New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother.]
Note: The original Abenaki and Penobscot texts are given first under each heading, between angled brackets <…>. A retranscription and literal English translation follow.
1. Acte d’adoration – Act of adoration
Mon Dieu, je vous adore et vous reconnais pour mon Créateur, mon souverain Seigneur et pour le maître absolu de toutes choses.
[My God, I love you and recognize you as my Creator, my sovereign Lord, and the absolute master of all things.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, p. 12.)
<Kuesihiuan. Negichiniuasukkom keguessihol ta kegahalomnaualmel ali kiziihiiaza negin-/jamessem nezôgmom, nôguihi tebal-/daman meziui kagui.>
Kwəssihiwan. Nəkihci-niwaskom, kəkwəssihol tta kəkahaląminąkwaləməl ali-kisihiyasa, nəkinəcaməssəm nəsąkəmąm, nąnəkwəci-təpalətaman məsiwi kakwi.
[Honoring. My God, I honor you and know you with certainty as my creator, my king and my lord, who alone are the master of everything.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1856: 35)
<Kussichanne. N’kitchi Niwèskum k’kussihole tè kulanmèwèlmel èli kisìhiaza, n’kindjè-/messeum n’sangmànm nèkwitchi tèpèlta-/man messiwi kègwi.>
Kwəssihan. Nəkihči-niweskom, kəkwəssihol tte kolαmeweləməl eli-kisihəyaza, nkinəčeməssəm nsαkəmαm, nekwəči-təpelətaman məssiwi kekwi.
[Honoring him. My God, I honor you and I know you with certainty as my creator, my king and my lord, who are the sole master of everything.]
2. Acte de foi – Act of faith
Mon Dieu, je crois fermement tout ce que la sainte Église catholique croit et enseigne, parce que c’est vous qui l’avez dit, et que vous êtes la vérité même.
[My God, I firmly believe all that the holy Catholic Church believes and teaches, because it is you who have said it, and you are the truth itself.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, p. 12.)
<Uelômaualdamuôgan. Negichiniuasukkom kuina nolômaual-/damen meziui toni Uauasi nalui Aiami-/hauigamiuk ali uelômaualdamuik ta ali kimuaik uezômi kia sasaginnouian kegizi moskihadon.>
Wəląmawalətaməwąkan. Nəkihci-niwaskom, kwina noląmawalətamən məsiwi tąni wawahsi-naləwi-ayamihawikamikok ali-wəląmawalətaməwik tta ali-kkiməwaik wəsąmi kia sahsakinnəwian kəkisi-moskihaton.
[An expression of belief. My God, I genuinely believe everything that is believed and taught in the holy Catholic Church because you who are always truthful have brought it to light.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1856: 34)
<Ulanmeweltemwangan. N’kitchi Niwèskum, kwina n’ulanme-/wèltamen messiwi tanni wèwèssi nalwi ayamièwigamigook èli ulanmèwèltamwik tè èli aghèkimuhèhwìk uzanmi kia sasag-/hinouyan kisi moskihatone.>
Wəlαmewelətaməwαkan. Nəkihči-niweskom, kwina nolαmewelətamən məssiwi tαni wewehsi-naləwi-ayamihewikamikok eli-wəlαmewelətaməwik tte eli-akehkiməwewik wəsαmi kəya sahsakinəwəyan kəkisi-moskihaton.
[An expression of belief. My God, I genuinely believe everything that is believed and taught in the holy Catholic Church because you who are always truthful have brought it to light.]
3. Acte d’espérance – Act of hope
Mon Dieu, j’espère avec une ferme confiance que tu me donneras, par les mérites de Jésus Christ, ta grâce en ce monde et, si j’observe tes commandements, le bonheur éternel dans l’autre, parce que tu l’as promis et que tu tiens toujours tes promesses.
[My God, I hope with firm confidence that you will give me, by the merits of Jesus Christ, your grace in this world and, if I observe your commandments, eternal happiness in the other, because you have promised this and you always keep your promises.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, p. 12)
<Nkauatzouôgan. Negichiniuasukom, nezôbaldamônssi-/nal kegatamuauôganal ta odabinôgzou-/ôganal Poluakhoguak, nenespi nkauatzi melik sôbalgauôgan aliji milian, uelihoua-/uôgan uaji tebaskozia kedachuagida-/muôganal udali kik, ta uaji anawitôgaa tali kedak ki.>
Nkawatəsəwąkən. Nəkihci-niwaskom, nəsąpalətamąhsinal kekehtaməwawąkanal tta wətapinąkwəsəwąkanal Poləwakhokwak, nənəspi-nkawatəsi-məlihki-sąpaləkawąkan ali-=ci -milian, wəli-wawąkan waci-təpaskosia ketacəwakitaməwąkanal yo tali kkik, tta waci-anawihtąkaa kətak kki.
[An expression of hope. My God, I firmly believe in your rewards and, through the merits of our Savior, the hopeful and strong conviction that you will give me, along with the grace to heed your commands in this world and to be rewarded in the other world.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1856: 36)
<Nekettetehantamwangan. N’kitchi Niwèskum nesanbèltamansi-/nal neghèttèmuhanganàl, tè utepinankus-/wànganal polwèkolaku nespiu nekettèta-/hantamen meliki sanbèlkèwangan èlita milian ùliwèwangan wètchi tebaskosia kedatchwi èlaghitamwanganàl yu tali kik tè wètchi enawittanga tel ni ketàk kik.>
Nəkehtetahαtaməwαkan. Nəkihči-niweskom, nəsαpelətamαhsinal nəkehteməwαkanal, tte wətepinαkwəsəwαkanal Poləwekholakw nəspiw nəkehtetahαtamən məlihki-sαpeləkewαkan eli-=tte -miləyan wəli-wewαkan weči-təpaskosəya kətahčəwi-əlakitaməwαkanal yo tali kkik tte weči-enawihtαka tal ni kətak kkik.
[My expression of hope.My God, I firmly believe in my hopes, and through the merits of the Savior, I hope as well that you will give me strong conviction, along with the grace to heed your commandments here in this world and to be rewarded in the other world.]
4. Acte de charité – Act of love
Mon Dieu, qui êtes digne de tout amour, à cause de vos perfections infinies, je vous aime de tout mon coeur, et j’aime mon prochain comme moi-même pour l’amour de vous.
[My God, who are worthy of all love, because of your infinite perfections, I love you with all my heart, and I love my neighbor as myself for the sake of you.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, pp. 12-13)
<Kezaôssouôgan. Negichiniuasukkom ketabinôgzin meziuikezaôssouôgan ueji kebakinnou ô-/gan, ta nedalalmô niji alnôba tahôlaui niatta ueji ali kezalməlan.>
Kəsaąssəwąkan. Nəkihci-niwaskom, kətapinąkwəsin məsiwi kəsaąssəwąkan wəci kəpahkinnəwąkan, tta nətaləmą nici-alənąpa tahąlawi nia=tta wəci ali-kəsaləməlan.
[An expression of affection. My God, you are worthy of all affection because of your perfection as a being, and I love my fellow man like myself because of the way I love you.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1856: 36)
<Kesansswangan. N’kitchi Niwèskum, ketepinankusine messiwi kesansswangan wètchi kepekki-/nuàngan, tè netalèlman nitchi Alnanbè tahanlàho nyattè wètchi ali keselma.
Kəsαssəwαkan. Nəkihči-niweskom, kətepinαkwəsin məssiwi kəsαssəwαkan wəči kəpehkinəwαkan, tte nətəleləmα niči-alənαpe tahαlaw nəya=tte weči-ali-kəseləm[əl]a.
[An expression of affection. My God, you are worthy of
all affection because of your perfection as a being, and I love my fellow man
like myself because of the way I love you.]
5. Acte de contrition – Act of contrition
Mon Dieu, j’ai un extrême regret de vous avoir offensé, parce que vous êtes infiniment bon, infiniment aimable, et que le péché vous déplait; pardonnez-moi par les mérites de Jésus-Christ mon Sauveur: je me propose, moyennant votre sainte grâce, de ne plus vous offenser et de faire pénitence.
[My God, I am deeply sorry to have offended you, because you are infinitely good, infinitely worthy of love, and sin displeases you; forgive me by the merits of Jesus Christ my Savior: I propose, by your holy grace, no longer to offend you and to do penance.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, pp. 12-13)
<Onadahômzouôgan. Negichi niuasukkom kuina nojidahô-/zin ahali palilauaholan uezômi pôbaamiui koliai ta pobaamiui kegezalmeguezi ta uezômi saaguakôzuogan kebali lauakô-/gon, ueji anahaldamauina odabinôgzouô-/ganikok Sazos Poluakuakhoguak koli hiuauôgan nespi kuaguaji ôda mina piba-/lilauaholo ta dônalzi.>
Ąnatahąməsəwąkan. Nəkihci-niweskom, kwina nocitahąsin ahali-palilawaholan, wəsąmi pąpaamiwi koli-ai tta pąpaamiwi kəkəsaləməkwəsi tta wəsąmi saakwahkąsəwąkan kəpali-lawahkąkon; wəci anahalətamawina wətapinąkwəsowąkanihkok Sesohs Poləwakhokwak; koli-wawąkan nəspi kwakwaci ąta mina [ke]pipalilawaholo tta [nə]tąnələsi.
[Humility. My God, I am very deeply troubled that I have repeatedly offended you, because you are exceedingly good and exceedingly beloved and because sin displeases you; forgive us on account of the merits of Jesus our Savior; with your grace I will try not to offend you again and I will do penance.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1856: 37)
<Anètahanmswangan. N’kitchi Niwèskum kwìna n’utchita-/hansine èli palilawahòla wèsanmi panbè-/mi kulihahi, tè panbèmi kusèlmokùssi, tè wèsanmi sagawèkanswàngan kepalila-/wèkangòne wètchi anehèltamawinè ùte-/pinankuswànganikook Zezus polwèkolaku kulìwèwangan nespi kugwètch anta mina kepèpalilawàholo, tè ntanèlsine.>
Ąnetahαməsəwαkan. Nəkihči-niweskom, kwina nočitahαsin eli-palilawahola wəsαmi pαpemi koli-ayi, tte pαpemi kəkəseləməkwəsi tte wəsąmi sakawehkαsəwαkan kəpali-lawehkαkon; weči-anehelətamawine wətepinαkwəsəwαkanihkok Sesuhs Poləwekholakw; koli-wewαkan nəspi kwakweč αta mina kəpepalilawaholo, tte nətαneləsin.
[Humility. My God, I am very deeply troubled that I have offended you, because you are exceedingly good and exceedingly beloved and because sin displeases you; forgive us on account of the merits of Jesus the Savior; with your grace I will try not to offend you again and I will do penance.]
6. Acte de remerciement – Act of thanksgiving
Mon Dieu, je vous remercie de tous les biens que j’ai reçus de vous, principalement de m’avoir créé, racheté par votre Fils et fait enfant de votre Église.
[My God, I thank you for all the benefits that I have received from you, especially for your having created me, redeemed me through your Son, and made a child of your Church.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, p. 13)
<Alamisuôgan. Negichiniuasukkom kedalamikadol ueji meziui ualigek kakasi oji mezinma kiak, pita naua ueji ali kizihiiaza ta oji poluakhian kenamô alinnouit ta lihiian uaji kedaiamihawigamigui auôssisuiia.>
Alamisəwąkan. Nəkihci-niwaskom, kətalamihkatol wəci məsiwi walikək kakahsi-wəci-məsənəma kiak, pihta=nawa wəci ali-kisihiyasa tta -wəci-poləwakhiyan kənamą alinnowit, tta lihiyan waci-kətayamihawikamikwi-awąssisəwiya.
[Gratitude. My God, I give thanks to you for all the good that I have plentifully received from you, and especially for the fact that you created me and set me free, through the person of your son, and transformed me so that I am a child of your church.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1856: 37)
<Alamiswangan. N’kitchi Niwèskum k’talamisuhamel wètchi messiu ùlighèk kakessi hutchiu mesenma kia, pitta nawa wètchi eli kisi-/hiaza tè hutchiu polwèkiane, kenèman èlinwit, tè elihihane wètchi ketayàmièwigamigwi awanzissuyan.>
Alamisəwαkan. Nəkihči-niweskom, ktalamisəwaməl wəči məssi welikək kakehsi-wəči-məsənəma kəya, pihta=nawa wəči eli-kisihəyasa tte -wəči-poləwekhəyan kənemαn elinəwit tte -əlihəyan weči-kətayamihewikamikwi awαssisəwəya.
[Gratitude. My God, I thank you for all the good that I have plentifully received from you, and especially for the fact that you have created me and set me free, through the person of your son, and transformed me so that I am a child of your church.]
7. Acte d’offrande – Act of oblation
Mon Dieu, j’ai tout reçu de vous; je vous offre mes pensées, mes paroles, mes actions, ma vie et tout ce que je possède, et je ne veux l’employer qu’à votre service.
[My God, I have received everything from you; I offer you my thoughts, my words, my actions, my life, and all that I possess, and I want to use these only at your service.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, p. 13)
<Pagitnigan. Negichi niuasukkom meziui kagui noji mezinmen kiak; kia naua kaktolan ne-/debidahôzuôganal, negelozuôganal, nede-/lalokauôganal, nebemôuezouôgan ta me-/ziui kasilauigia ta nedachualdamen ne-/dalihadon kia kedalokawôganek negui-/chiui.>
Pakitənikan. Nəkihci-niwaskom, məsiwi kakwi noci-məsənəmən kiak; kia=nawa kaktolan nətəpitahąsəwąkanal, nəkəlosəwąkanal, nətəlalohkawąkanal, nəpəmąwəsəwąkan, tta məsiwi kahsilawikia; tta nətahcəwalətamən nətalihaton kia kətalohkawąkanək nəkwəciwi.
[Veneration. My God, I have received everything from you, so it is to you that I offer my thoughts, my words, my actions, my life, and all of my riches; and I want to act solely in accordance with your work.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1857: 67)
<Pokitnigan. N’ketchi Niwèskum messiu kègu notji messenmen kia, kia nawa kiktùlen n’te-/pitahanswanganàl, nekeloswangan, n’te-/lalokkèwanganàl, nepomanhuswàngan, tè messiwi kessi alituhannil, tè n’tatchwel-/damèn nteliàton kia ketalòkkèwanganèk nekwitchìhu.>
Pakitənikan. Nəkihči-niweskom, məssiwi kekw noči-məsənəmən kia, kia=nawa kəkiktolən nətəpitahαsəwαkanal, nəkəlosəwαkanal, nətəlohkewαkanal, nəpəmαwəsəwαkan, tte məssiwi kehsi-alihtawαnil; tte nətahčəwelətamən nətəlihaton kia kətalohkewαkanək nəkwihčiw.
[Veneration. My God, I have received everything from you, so I offer to you my thoughts, my words, my actions, my life, and whatever things that that I make; and I want to act solely in accordance with your work.]
8. Acte d’humilité – Act of humility
Mon Dieu, je ne suis que cendre et poussière; réprimez les mouvements d’orgueil qui s’élèvent dans mon âme, et apprenez-moi à me mépriser moi-même, vous qui résistez aux superbes et qui donnez votre grâce aux humbles.
[My God, I am only ashes and dust; suppress the movements of pride that arise in my soul, and teach me to despise myself, you who resist the elevated and who give your grace to the humble.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, p. 14)
<Piuihozuôgan. Negichiniuasukkom kia channôan pô-/linnouit ta milôan uelihouauôgan piual-/zit, kia tapsenman omamôjuôganouol kazalzijik kia adali uanôgian nejejakok ta alagakimian uaji keneskalzia nia akiuia ta paguiuia.>
Piwihosəwąkan. Nəkihci-niwaskom, kia canənąan pąlinnowit tta miląan wəli-wawąkan piwaləsit, kia tapsənəman wəmamącəwąkanəwąl kasaləsicik, kia atali-wanąkian nəcəcahkok tta alakahkimian waci-kənəskaləsia nia ahkiwia tta pagwiwia.
[Humility. My God, it is you who resist the proud man and give grace to the humble man, you who cut through the agitation of the prideful, you who arise in my soul and teach me to consider myself insignificant; it is I who am dust and ashes.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1857: 60)
<Piwihozwangan. N’ketchi Niwèskum kia k’tchannan tànne panlinwit, tè milwàn ùliwewàngan tanne piwèlsit, kia k’tapsenmèn amant/swàngannwàl kessèlsidjik kia tali unan/ghiàn n’tchetchahkook tè èlaghèkimiàn wètchi keneskelsia nya ekuya tè èpokuya.>
Piwihosəwαkan. Nəkihči-niweskom, kəya kəčanənαn tαn palinəwit tte milαn wəli-wewαkan tαn piweləsit; kəya kətapsənəmən amαčəwαkanəwal keseləsicik; kia tali-wənαkəyan nəčəčahkok tte elakehkiməyan weči-kənəskeləsəya; nəya ehkəwəya tte pekəwəya.
[Humility. My God, you resist the proud man and give grace to the humble man; you cut through the agitation of the prideful; it is you who arise in my soul teach me to consider myself insignificant; it is I who am dust and ashes.]
9. Acte de demande – Act of petition
Mon Dieu, source infinie de tous les biens, donnez-moi tout ce qui m’est nécessaire pour la vie et la santé de mon corps, mais surtout la grâce de faire en toutes choses votre sainte volonté. Par Jésus-Christ Notre-Seigneur. Amen.
[My God, infinite source of all good things, give me all that is necessary for the life and health of my body, but above all the grace to do in all things your holy will. By Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.]
Abenaki (Kagakimzouiasis, p. 14)
<Uikodmauôgan. Negichiniuasukkom,
ôda mimatanas-/ki, omouinnok meziui ualigek, mili tôni achuitbak ueji
pemôuezouôgan ta ki-/gauôgan pita naua uelihouduôgan uaji alokôdama
kolaldamuôgan ueji meziui kagui. Sôbiui Sazosek Nezôgmônok. Nialach.>
Wihkotəmawąkan. Nəkihci-niwaskom, ąta mimahtanaski-wəmawinnok məsiwi walikək, mili tąni ahcəwi-təpahk wəci pəmąwəsəwąkan tta kikawąkan, pihta=nawa wəlihotəwąkan waci-alohkątama kolalətaməwąkan wəci məsiwi kakwi. Sąpiwi Sasohsək Nəsąkəmąnok. Ni alac.
[A request. My God, from whose never ending superior personage all that is good (comes), give me what is necessary for life and health; especially, as well, the blessing by which I can do your will in everything. Through Jesus our Lord. So be it.]
Penobscot (Vetromile 1857: 67)
<Wikotmwangan. N’ketchi Ni wèskum, anta metanaski/tahanskowina messiu wèlighèk, mili tanni etchwitpàk wètchi pemanhuswàngan tè kighèwàngan pitta nawa ùlihotwàngan wètchi alokantama kulèltamwàngan we/tchi messiu kegu sanbiwi Zezussèk N’sang/manmenòk. Nialetch.>
Wihkotəmowαkan. Nəkihči-niweskom, αta mehtanaskitahαskowina məssiw welikək, mili tαni ehcəwi-təpahk wəči pəmαwəsəwαkan tte kikewαkan, pihta=nawa wəlihotəwαkan weči-alohkαtama kolelətaməwαkan wəči məssiw kekw. Sαpiwi Sesuhsək Nəsαkəmαmənok. Ni aleč.
[A request. My God, who never ceases to be concerned with all that is good, give me what is necessary for life and health; especially, as well, the blessing by which I can do your will in everything. Through Jesus our Lord. So be it.]