November 2012 Black Catholic History Month Events

The Office of Black Catholic announced a series of events to celebrate through the month of November the Black Catholic History Month; during this month we honored the black catholic saints who kept the faith and are models of living the Gospel life.

On July 24, 1990, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics. Two commemorative dates fall within this month, Saint Augustine's Birthday (November 13) and Saint Martín de Porres' Feast Day (November 3). More importantly, November not only marks a time when we pray for all saints and souls in loving remembrance, but also a time to recall the saints and souls of Africa and the African Diaspora.

Black Catholics trace their faith history back to Christian antiquity long before other nations heard the "Good News." Christian Africa was indeed a "leading light" in early Christendom. Black Catholics point to three popes who were born in Africa: Saints Victor I, Melchiades, and Gelasius I. All three shepherded the early church through tough and tumultuous times in history. Black Catholics claim many Black Saints like Saints Cyprian, Zeno, Anthony of Egypt, Moses the Black Pachomius, Maurice, Athanasius, Pisentius, Mary of Egypt, Cyril of Alexandria, Monica of Hippo, Augustine of Hippo, Perpetua, Felicita, and Thecla. Some of these mystics, monastics, and martyrs literally made the church what it is today.

For more information contact Deacon Al Turner, Director, Office of Black Catholics, Archdiocese of Washington at (301) 853-5371 or turnera@adw.org.

Black History Month events:
(More details to follow)

Black Catholic History Month Concert,

Sunday, on November 4, 2012 at 4:30 pm at St. Mark’s Church, 7501 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD. The concert will be performed by the Archdiocese of Washington Mass Gospel Choir and soloists from other parish choirs. This is an annual celebration of Black spirituality in the Catholic Church.

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Veneration of Relics of African Saints, Friday November 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2020 St. Joseph Drive, Largo, MD. The liturgy will be celebrated by Most Reverend Barry Knestout, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. November is the month in which the Church remembers our beloved dead. This liturgy gives reverence to those who have gone before us in faith and who serve as role models to us for living the Gospel life.