November invites us to reflect on the profound contributions of Black Catholics to the life of the Church. This month is rich with feasts and historical milestones that remind us of the universality of our faith and the diversity of its saints and witnesses. Key dates throughout November provide a framework for understanding the deep roots and ongoing legacy of Black Catholics in the Church.
- **All Saints Day (Nov. 1)**: This solemn feast honors countless saints of African descent throughout Church history, inviting us to celebrate those who have lived lives of holiness and virtue.
- **All Souls Day (Nov. 2)**: This day prompts us to remember Africans lost during the Middle Passage and to honor our ancestors who have gone before us, emphasizing the importance of memory in our faith tradition.
- **Feast of St. Martin de Porres (Nov. 3)**: A humble Dominican friar, St. Martin exemplified love and service to God’s people regardless of race or class, serving as an early model of inclusivity within the Church.
- **Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo (Nov. 13)**: Celebrating the birth of this theologian and Doctor of the Church, we recognize St. Augustine’s lasting influence on Christian thought over the centuries.
The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC) officially designated November as Black Catholic History Month in 1990, giving it a special significance as a time to reflect on and celebrate Black Catholic heritage.
Biblical Roots and Early Witnesses
The story of Black Catholics has its roots in Scripture. In Acts 8:26–40, we find the account of the Ethiopian eunuch – a wealthy, learned, and devout man who became the first African to embrace the Christian faith. This significant moment illustrates the Gospel’s reach from the very beginning, reminding us that the message of Christ transcended cultural boundaries from the outset. As noted by Fr. Cyprian Davis in The History of Black Catholics in the United States, the eunuch’s baptism highlights early witnesses to the faith from Africa.
A Legacy of Faith and Resilience
Black Catholic history in America dates back to the 1560s, with the establishment of St. Augustine, Florida, and the founding of the free Black town of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose in 1693. From these humble beginnings emerged remarkable witnesses like:
**Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1787–1853)**: A Haitian-born philanthropist and lay leader, Toussaint’s legacy lives on, especially at New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral where he was laid to rest.
**Venerable Mother Mary Lange (1784–1882)**: The founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, she established the first religious order for women of African descent, showcasing the invaluable role of women in the Church.
**Venerable Augustus Tolton (1854–1897)**: The first African American priest to serve openly in the United States, Tolton is remembered for his holiness and pastoral zeal, inspiring countless others to embrace their faith.
These three saints, in addition to Henriette Delille, Julia Greeley, Martin de Porres Ward, and Sr. Thea Bowman, form the “Saintly Seven” – a group of African Americans on the path to canonization, embodying a rich spiritual heritage.
Milestones in Black Catholic Leadership and Evangelization
**1889 – The First National Black Catholic Congress**: This historic event took place in Washington, D.C., where 200 African American Catholic men gathered. They affirmed their rightful place in the Church and highlighted the vital role of laypeople in evangelization, articulating the need for women’s contributions in spreading the Gospel.
Among the leaders was Daniel Rudd, a devout Catholic and pioneering journalist, who observed that the Catholic Church extended a warm and true friendship to people of color, affirming their equality before God’s altar.
**1909 – The Knights of Peter Claver**: Founded in Mobile, Alabama, this organization provided African American men with a fraternal network at a time when they faced exclusion elsewhere. Named after St. Peter Claver, who ministered to enslaved Africans, the Knights dedicated themselves to service and fostering social growth, along with their Ladies Auxiliary and Junior Knights created in subsequent years.
**1968 – Founding of the NBCCC**: During the Catholic Clergy Conference on the Interracial Apostolate, a separate meeting of 150 Black clergy marked the birth of the NBCCC, serving as a catalyst for advocacy against racial injustice and for establishing a stronger foundational voice for Black Catholics within the Church.
**1984 – “What We Have Seen and Heard”**: This landmark pastoral letter issued by ten U.S. black bishops declared that the Black Catholic community had matured from being seen merely as a mission field. They asserted that Black Catholics had become capable of evangelizing themselves and others, emphasizing that evangelization involved building up the community as much as it did preaching and conversion.
A Historic First: Cardinal Wilton Gregory
Among these bishops, Wilton Gregory stands out as a significant figure. He began his ministry in Atlanta, later becoming archbishop of Washington, D.C. In November 2020, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals, making history as the first African American to receive this honor. His elevation serves as a powerful testament to the contributions and leadership of Black Catholics within the Church.
Why This Month Matters
As a community of believers, we are called to honor this rich heritage and continue the mission of unity and evangelization. November is not only a time to remember the profound contributions of Black Catholics but also a moment to recommit ourselves to building a Church that truly reflects the beauty and diversity of every culture and race. Every story, every saint, and every witness add to the vibrant tapestry of the Catholic faith.
Vickie Figueroa is associate director for cultural ministries and coordinator of Black Catholic ministry for the Archdiocese of Detroit.