Star Wars has highlighted a subtle connection between Lor San Tekka in The Force Awakens and the prequel trilogy: the planet of Naboo. When the sequel trilogy began, viewers were introduced to a galaxy where history seemed to have repeated itself; the First Order had emerged as a new version of the Empire, and the Jedi had fallen once again. But there was still hope, as the Rebel Alliance and the First Order raced to piece together a map that would take them to the legendary Luke Skywalker, who had vanished into the depths of the Unknown Regions.
One fragment of that map was kept by Lor San Tekka, a member of an order known as the Church of the Force. Lucasfilm's Star Wars: The High Republic transmedia initiative has revealed the history of the San Tekka clan as wealthy hyperspace prospectors - described as "rough-edged people finding routes through the wild spaces of the galaxy, like planetary explorers searching for passes through deadly mountain ranges." The San Tekka clan kept many of their most prized routes to themselves, ensuring they could travel through hyperspace at greater speed than their competitors. It makes sense for a descendant of the San Tekkas to possess maps of the Unknown Regions that nobody else had access to.
Justina Ireland's latest Star Wars novel, Out of the Shadows, adds another element to this story. It seems the Church of the Force is older than anybody had guessed, and in fact they were particularly influential on the planet Naboo. The Church of the Force seems to have been very different to the Jedi and the Sith, in that it encouraged non-Force-sensitives to join and learn secrets of the Force, seeking to play their part in the balance of the Force.
This is a fascinating new twist to Star Wars lore, because it raises the possibility some of Naboo's traditions venerated the Force. Thus, while Queen Padmé Amidala may not have possessed the power of the Force herself, she may well have been schooled in philosophies that were inherently tied to the light side of the Force. Perhaps Padmé and Anakin had more in common than viewers thought.
Tie-in comics have confirmed the Church of the Force believed the Jedi played a crucial role in the balance of the Force. This, then, is principally why Lor San Tekka helped the Resistance by helping them find Luke Skywalker on the distant world of Ahch-To; because as a member of the Church of the Force, he believed only the Jedi could restore the light to the galaxy. It's ironic that Lor San Tekka's faith flourished on Naboo, adding another generational aspect to the Star Wars saga, for there is a sense in which Luke Skywalker's return was another legacy of his mother's homeworld.
