Pope Leo XIV

The first American Pope

Sr. Marcia Hall elected superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, nation's oldest Black Catholic order

By Nate Tinner-Williams for the Black Catholic Messenger

The Oblate Sisters of Providence, the nation's oldest operating Black Catholic religious order, have elected Sr. Marcia Hall as their new superior general, the 21st in their 196-year history.



The order elected their new administration on April 24 in Baltimore, where they were founded in 1829 by Venerable Mary Lange and the Sulpician Fr. James Nicholas Joubert.

Black Catholic Spirituality: A voice crying out in Gospel joy

Sister Thea Bowman and the soul of Black Catholic spirituality

By Father Leonard Gicheru for The Catholic Key

“What does it mean to be Black and Catholic? It means that I come to my Church fully functioning. … I bring myself; my Black self, all that I am, all that I hope to become. I bring my whole history, my traditions, my experience, my culture, my African American song and dance and gesture and movement and teaching and preaching and healing and responsibility as a gift to the Church.” – Sister Thea Bowman



In the tapestry of American Catholicism, few threads shine as vibrantly as the life and witness of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman. Born in Mississippi in 1937 to a Methodist family and a convert to Catholicism as a child, Thea’s journey to religious life and national prominence was rooted in a deep love for Jesus Christ and a deep pride in her Black heritage.

Three Josephite Seminarians Ordained to the Priesthood

The Rite of Ordination was celebrated by Most Reverend Roy E. Campbell, Jr., Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, and President of the National Black Catholic Congress. The ordained are Chidiebere Dominic, Linus James, and Charles Nwamadi.

Watch the recorded video by clicking the image below.

3 Powerful Lessons from 'The Saint of New York': Pierre Toussaint

From Ascension Presents

Have you ever heard of "The Saint of New York"? Did you know that the only layperson buried at St. Patrick’s Cathedral is this remarkable man?

Fr. Mark-Mary is joined by Fr. PT to share the powerful story of the man who inspired his religious name: Venerable Pierre Toussaint. Born into slavery in Haiti, Pierre was later freed and became a hairdresser in New York City. He lived a life of deep faith, attending daily Mass and dedicating himself to countless charitable works.

How to Deal With People Who are Racially Insensitive

By Toni Walker for Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine

In today's world, navigating racial insensitivity--especially in professional or business settings--requires a strategic balance between self-preservation and advocacy. As the saying goes, "You don't want to cut off your nose to spite your face." This delicate balance is something many Black folks and people of color must navigate daily.

Worldwide Directory of Pregnancy Help

The Largest Worldwide Network of Pregnancy Help Organizations

Heartbeat affiliates propose and offer, through education and creative services, positive, lifeaffirming choices for the woman challenged by pregnancy.



Do you know a youth or young adult looking for something to do this summer?

33 Impactful Service Projects for Youth Groups

Before we can evangelize and disciple people, we often need to serve them first. This is where service projects come in: They enable us to serve our community in the name of Jesus while simultaneously teaching the next generation how to serve just as Jesus did. Here are 33 easy service projects for youth groups, along with ideas for youth group service projects that promote outreach and community engagement.

The Catholic Islander Magazine

The Catholic Islander is the official magazine of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Our publication is dedicated to sharing the stories, events, and faith journeys of our vibrant diocesan community. Through engaging articles and beautiful photography, we aim to inspire and inform our readers about the life and mission of the Church in our region.

The Josephite Harvest Magazine

The mission of The Harvest is to Encourage devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; to its namesake and patron, St. Joseph; and to the other patron saints of the Society; Foster racial and cultural understanding and reconciliation. Make known the achievements of African Americans that reflect the influence of the Catholic Faith; and Recognize the labors of clergy and lay persons who work for the continued development and the evangelization of the African American community.

The Beacon International Catholic Magazine

The Beacon International Magazine is a laity publication on the Catholic faith and the African Church with a focus on the dissemination of vital Catholic information on doctrine, faith, health and every day life. Ours is one of the first laity efforts in Catholic publication for local and international markets on the African continent.

Jun 10, 2025 10:00-11:30 AM ET

Pentecost Witness for Justice and a Moral Budget

No matter our religion, race, or gender, we all want to be able to afford healthy food, decent healthcare, and a safe community to live in. Yet some members of Congress—to please their ultra-wealthy donors—have put together a federal budget that contains extremely harmful cuts to essential programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare, etc., all so they can give tax breaks to those billionaires who have bankrolled their campaigns.

Jun 11, 2025 07:00 PM ET

Praying with Our Feet: Encountering God in the Margins

Join Dr. Ansel Augustine for a discussion about his new book, "Praying with Our Feet: Encountering God in the Margins."

Jun 19, 2025

Juneteenth 2025

Also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday. To learn about its history and discover new ways to commemorate this important day, read on.

June 20, 2025 12:30 to 1:30 PM ET

Transforming the Way We Produce and Use Knowledge for Better Health

Transforming the Way We Produce and Use Knowledge for Better Health is the next webinar in our Reimagined in America: Learning from the World to Advance Equity series

Jun 29-Jul 18, 2025

IBCS Summer Session Institute for Black Catholic Studies/XULA

The IBCS was established to carry out Jesus’ mission by forming pastoral ministers and scholars in Black Catholic theology to share the Good News in today’s Church and society. The Institute community of learners – lay and ordained - is culturally diverse and intergenerational, immersed in the unique environment of Xavier University in New Orleans.

Deacon Kenneth S. Greene

1947 - 2025

Kenneth Steve Greene was the eldest of six children born on February 2, 1947, to the union of Kenneth Thomas and Ivory Mae Greene in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He departed this life on May 22, 2025, at the age of 78. His parents preceded him in death. Three of his siblings also preceded him in death: Connie Lavern Greene, Mark Keith Greene, Sr., and Michael Thomas Greene.



Kenneth was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith as an infant. He was educated in Catholic schools and universities: St. John the Baptist Catholic School and St. Anne's Academy in Fort Smith; St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas; and the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. Kenneth earned a master's degree in educational psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.