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320 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Web: www.nbccongress.org
Phone: 410.547.8496
Email: nbcc@nbccongress.org
| | The Rich and Enduring Legacy of Black Catholic History | | Black Catholic history is both ancient and inspiring, reaching back to the earliest centuries of Christianity in Africa and continuing through centuries of faith, resilience, and leadership in the Americas. From the theological brilliance of early African Church Fathers to the courage of enslaved and free Black Catholics who built communities of faith against all odds, this legacy reflects a deep and enduring witness to the Gospel. Today, the Black Catholic experience continues to enrich the universal Church through a spirit of hope, service, and joyful faith. | | Bay St. Louis, St. Augustine Seminary; Nov 1, 1936 |
Key Moments in Black Catholic History
Early Christian Africa
- Africa was a cradle of early Christianity and home to some of the Church’s greatest minds and saints.
- Three popes—St. Victor I, Pope Melchiades (Miltiades), and Pope Gelasius I—were of African descent and helped shape the early Church’s growth and governance.
- Influential theologians such as St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Monica, St. Cyprian of Carthage, and St. Athanasius of Alexandria laid the foundations for Christian theology, doctrine, and moral teaching.
Faith in the Americas
- In 1738, Fort Mose, Florida, became the first free Black settlement in what is now the United States—its residents were devout Catholics who sought both faith and freedom.
- Enslaved Africans and their descendants preserved and adapted their Catholic faith, blending traditional African spirituality with Catholic worship, song, and devotion.
Religious Orders and Vocations
- In 1829, Mother Mary Lange founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore, the first
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successful Catholic sisterhood established by women of African descent.
- Venerable Henriette Delille established the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, dedicated to serving the poor, educating children, and caring for the sick.
- In 1886, Father Augustus Tolton was ordained as the first publicly recognized African American Catholic priest, becoming a symbol of perseverance and pastoral compassion.
Modern Renewal and Spiritual Leadership
- The 20th century witnessed a growing movement for Black Catholic self-determination, cultural affirmation, and leadership within the Church.
- Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, became a prophetic voice for inclusion and celebration of African American spirituality, calling the Church to “walk together, children” in faith and unity.
- Black Catholic lay leaders, clergy, and religious continue to build on this legacy through ministries of education, social justice, and evangelization across the United States and beyond.
| A handful of women from Baltimore’s Haitian refugee colony begin to educate local children in their homes. With the support of the archbishop, in 1829 they create the Oblate Sisters of Providence. The first superior is Elizabeth Lange, born in Cuba of Haitian parents. Used with permission of the Oblate Sisters of Providence. | | Upcoming Events to Celebrate Black Catholic History Month | | |
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH
11:10AM to 12:35PM Eastern
MOTHER MARY LANGE AND BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH WEBINAR
Janice Curtis Greene, also known as Janice the Griot, mesmerizes audiences with her folktales, original stories, and original Bible raps. She will perform stories related to the life and legacy of Mother Mary Lange. Mary Elizabeth Lange, OSP was an American religious sister in Baltimore, Maryland who founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in 1829, which was the first African American religious congregation in the United States.
Meeting link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87362425174
Meeting ID: 873 6242 5174
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH
7PM Central/8PM Eastern
GENERATION V(OCATIONS)
Don't miss this chance to hear from dynamic voices and share your perspective!
- What does "vocation" mean to you in 2025 and beyond?
Have you ever wondered what it takes to lead in ministry today?
- And many more questions will be discussed.
Register online: www.KOFPC.org/1113
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CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF AUSTIN
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH
8:30AM to 3PM Central
CALLED TO SAINTHOOD: A DAY OF REFLECTION WITH THE BLACK APOSTOLATE
Location: Holy Cross Parish, 1610 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702
Register here: https://austindiocese.org/black-ministry-dor?ref=blackcatholicmessenger.org
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CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ARLINGTON
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH
7PM to 8PM Eastern
PRAYER SERVICE FOR UNITY AND HEALING IN THE UNITED STATES
Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Ministries
Email: mcm@arlingtondiocese.org
Location: Cathedral of St. Thomas More
All are welcome to join Bishop Michael Burbidge in prayer.
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CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22TH
5PM Eastern
BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION 2025
Location: St. Therese of Lisieux Church
4402 Avenue D, Brooklyn, NY 11203
Mass will be followed by a reception in the gym.
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CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
NOVEMBER 14TH - NOVEMBER 16, 2025
3-Day Event
CHURCH REVIVAL: AWAKEN THE FIRE WITHIN
Hosted by the Office of Black Catholic Ministries
Location: St. Bernardine Catholic Church
3812 Edmondson Ave, Baltimore
| | In November, We Also Celebrate All Souls Month | | |
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.
For if to others, indeed, they seem punished, yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
Wisdom 3:1-5 NABRE
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Why do Catholics observe All Souls Month in November?
November is traditionally dedicated to all souls in the Catholic Church because it is a month of remembrance and prayer for the dead, particularly those in purgatory. This practice originated with the institution of All Souls' Day on November 2nd, which was deliberately set to follow All Saints' Day on November 1st.
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Origin and Significance
- Abbot Odilo of Cluny: The formal beginning of All Souls' Day is traced back to 998 AD. Abbot Odilo, a French Benedictine monk, decreed that all the monasteries dependent on the Abbey of Cluny should observe November 2nd as a day to pray and offer alms and sacrifices for the souls of the faithful departed.
- Following All Saints' Day: The date was specifically chosen to follow All Saints' Day, which honors all those believed to be in heaven. The sequence creates a two-day focus: celebrating the saints who have reached eternal life, and then praying for those who are still undergoing purification in purgatory before they can enter heaven.
- Theological Basis (Catholicism): The dedication is rooted in the Catholic belief in the "communion of saints" (the spiritual bond between the living and the dead) and the doctrine of purgatory. It is held that the prayers, Masses, and good works of the living can help these souls complete their journey to perfect union with God.
- End of the Liturgical Year: The month of November also marks the end of the liturgical year (with the new year starting on the First Sunday of Advent). This timing naturally encourages reflection on the end of life, judgment, and the hope of resurrection and eternal life.
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Traditions
Throughout the month, and especially on All Souls' Day, the faithful are encouraged to engage in acts of remembrance and prayer, which include:
- Attending Mass.
- Visiting and cleaning gravesites, and decorating them with flowers and candles.
- Offering special prayers, such as the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet, for the deceased.
- Gaining indulgences for the souls in purgatory.
Lighting candles for our deceased loved ones holds deep spiritual meaning across many Christian traditions. It is a sign of remembrance, hope, and prayer.
- Symbol of Prayer: The light of the candle represents our prayers rising up to God for the souls of the departed.
- Sign of Christ’s Presence: The flame reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World, guiding souls into eternal life.
- Act of Remembrance: Lighting a candle helps us keep the memory of our loved ones alive, showing that they are not forgotten.
- Expression of Hope: The light shines in darkness, symbolizing faith in the resurrection and everlasting life.
In essence, lighting a candle is a beautiful way to express love, faith, and connection with those who have gone before us.
| | The dedication of November to the Holy Souls serves as a reminder of the enduring connection between the living and the dead and the communal responsibility within the Christian faith to support all members of the Church on their spiritual journey. | | AI Generated Image by NBCC Staff | | |
How Can Families Observe All Souls Month?
Here are some meaningful and family-friendly ways to celebrate All Souls Month together:
- Light candles and pray together: Choose a time each evening to light a candle and pray for deceased family members, friends, and all souls in purgatory.
- Share family stories: Tell children about grandparents, great-grandparents, or other relatives who have passed away. Look at photos and share the good memories and lessons they left behind.
- Attend Mass or visit a cemetery: Go as a family to Mass for the faithful departed, or visit a cemetery to pray at the graves of loved ones and place flowers or candles.
- Create a “Remembrance Table” or “Altar of Memory”: Display photos, prayer cards, or objects that remind you of loved ones, and invite children to add drawings or notes of love and gratitude.
- Pray the “Eternal Rest” prayer: Teach children this short, powerful prayer:
- “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”
- Acts of kindness in memory of loved ones: Encourage children to do something kind in honor of someone who has died—like donating food, writing a thank-you note, or helping a neighbor.
These simple traditions help children understand that All Souls Month is a time of love, remembrance, and hope in God’s promise of eternal life.
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How Does The Book of Maccabees Relate to All Souls Month?
The Book of Maccabees, specifically 2 Maccabees 12:43-46, provides a foundational scriptural basis for the practice of praying for the dead, which is the central observance of All Souls' Day.
- Scriptural Basis for Prayer for the Dead: The passage in 2 Maccabees recounts how Judas Maccabeus and his men offered prayers and sin offerings for their fallen comrades who had died wearing pagan amulets, a sin against God's law.
- Theological Inference: The author of 2 Maccabees comments that in doing this, Judas acted in a "very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death". This implies a belief that the dead can benefit from the prayers and sacrifices of the living, which supports the possibility of purification after death.
- Connection to Purgatory: This concept, along with other scriptural hints (e.g., Matthew 12:32, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15), helped form the basis for the Catholic doctrine of purgatory – the belief that souls who die in God's grace but are not perfectly purified can undergo a final cleansing before entering heaven.
- All Souls' Day Observance: All Souls' Day, instituted by St. Odilo of Cluny in the 10th century, is the day set aside by the Catholic Church (and other Christian denominations like Anglican and some Lutheran) to offer prayers, alms, and especially the sacrifice of the Mass for these faithful departed souls in purgatory.
In essence, while the Book of Maccabees does not mention "All Souls' Day" by name (as the feast day was established much later), it offers the earliest explicit biblical justification for the practice of praying for the dead, a practice that All Souls' Day is centered on. Most Protestant denominations, which generally do not include the Book of Maccabees in their biblical canon, tend not to observe All Souls' Day or pray for the dead in the same manner as Catholics.
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How Can You Explain All Souls Month to Children?
This video is a wonderful way to help children learn why it’s important to remember and pray for our loved ones who have passed away during the Month of All Souls.
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