Throughout the year, the diocese offers opportunities to celebrate African American Catholic faith and culture, deepen formation and bring the Catholic community together.

Programs and events may include:

Mass for Black Catholics

A celebration of the Eucharist that brings together African American Catholics from throughout the diocese to worship, give thanks and celebrate the richness of our Catholic faith and heritage.

Kujenga Youth Retreats

Faith formation and fellowship opportunities designed to encourage young people to grow in their relationship with Christ and discover their gifts and vocation within the Church.

Days of Reflection

Opportunities for prayer, spiritual renewal, formation and fellowship.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance

A time to reflect on the call to justice, human dignity, peace and racial harmony through the lens of our Catholic faith.

Juneteenth

An opportunity to reflect on African American history, freedom, human dignity and the continuing call to live as people created in the image and likeness of God.

Kwanzaa

An opportunity to recognize and celebrate African American cultural heritage and the gifts that African American Catholics bring to the life of the Church.

The Catholic Church has been blessed by the faith, witness, leadership and perseverance of generations of Black Catholics. Their stories are part of the history of the Church in the United States and continue to inspire the faithful today.

Black Catholics on the Path to Sainthood

The Church continues to discern the lives and witness of several Black Catholics whose causes for canonization are underway:

• Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1776-1853)
• Venerable Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange (1784-1882)
• Venerable Henriette Delille (1813-1862)
• Servant of God Julia Greeley (1833-1918)
• Venerable Augustus Tolton (1854-1897)
• Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA (1937-1990)

Their lives offer powerful examples of faith, perseverance, service and love of Christ and his Church.

Black Catholic Leadership in the Church

African American Catholics have also served the Church through priesthood, religious life, the episcopacy and lay leadership.
Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory
Cardinal Gregory became the first African American Catholic cardinal in the history of the Church.
African American Catholic Bishops
Active bishops listed here:

• Most Rev. Roy Edward Campbell Jr.
• Most Rev. Fernand J. Cheri III, O.F.M.
• Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre
• Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry

Retired bishops listed here:

• Most Rev. Gordon D. Bennett, S.J.
• Most Rev. Edward K. Braxton, Ph.D.