Did you know that November is Black Catholic History Month?
According to the National Black Catholic Congress, which is based in Baltimore, the decision to designate November for Black Catholics was based on the fact that a number of important dates to Catholics of African descent fell within this month.
Nov. 1 is All Saints’ Day and is an opportunity to review the lives of saints of African descent in the first 300 years of the Church. Nov. 2, All Souls’ Day, is a time to remember all those Africans lost to cruel treatment in the Middle Passage crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Nov. 3 is the Feast of Saint Martin de Porres, canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962, the first Black American saint. Nov. 13 is the birthday of Saint Augustine, the great Doctor of the Church born in North Africa, and Nov. 20 is the death of Zumbi of Palmares in Brazil, the South American founder of a free state for Blacks.
According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, there are more than three million African-American Catholics in the United States. In the Camden Diocese, Catholics of African descent worship in all of our parishes. However, the history of Black Catholics in our Diocese, not unlike American history, was marked by racism and prejudice. Saint Bartholomew Church in Camden was established by Camden Bishop Bartholomew Eustace as a place for Black Catholics to worship because they were often not welcome in other churches. Saint Katharine Drexel sent sisters from her community, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, to teach and work in the parish. The Parish of Saint Monica in Atlantic City also has a rich history of Black Catholic worship.
Over the years, Black Catholic priests and sisters have served the Camden Diocese so very faithfully and have made a difference in the lives of so many families. The Black Catholic Ministry Commission of the Camden Diocese serves Catholics of African descent. To become involved in Black Catholic Ministry and evangelization, please call 856-365-0573.
Father Vincent G. Guest is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, and coordinator of the Black Catholic Apostolate and Racial Justice Commission.
What You Can Do
In celebration of Black Catholic History Month, an evening of art and song will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 642 Market St., Camden. Brother Mickey McGrath, O.S.F.S., author, retreat leader and liturgical artist, will present, supported by the choir of Saint Josephine Bakhita. The evening is hosted by the Cathedral Parish and Camden’s Sacred Heart Parish in conjunction with the Black Catholic Ministry Commission. The evening will also be livestreamed. For more information, including the livestream link, visit camdencathedral.com.
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