Dressed in floor-length violet choir robes, the Cameroonian Catholic Community Choir swayed to the rhythm of flutes and drums while singing “Behold Among Men.” The choir provided music at a Mass to honor Black Catholic History Month celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at St. Thomas à Becket Church in Reston Nov. 5.
In addition to members of the diocesan Black Catholic Ministry, the Knights of St. Peter Claver Bishop Paul S. Loverde Council 398 and the Ladies Auxiliary attended the Mass. The Knights of St. Peter Claver are an international Catholic fraternal order, founded in 1909 by four Josephite priests and three Black parishioners of the Diocese of Mobile. The Ladies Auxiliary was authorized in 1922. Today in the United States, the order operates in more than 58 dioceses and archdioceses.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge said Black Catholic History Month is a cause for both celebration and reflection. “At this Eucharist, we give thanks to God for all Black Catholics and their many contributions to the church as we celebrate and honor, in a special way throughout this month, their heritage and vibrant faith,” he said.
Black Catholic History Month is a reminder of periods throughout history when “many individuals and classes of people, including our African and African American brothers and sisters, have been treated unjustly by society and have been victims of slavery, prejudice and racism,” Bishop Burbidge said. “Yet, in the midst of such troubling times, there have always been in our church and our communities heroic men and women who courageously stood up for and defended the dignity of each and every human person.”
Bishop Burbidge added that while the struggle against racism continues, the faithful should look to the examples of Servants of God Julie Greeley and Sister Thea Bowman and Venerables Pierre Toussant, Henriette Delille, Father Augustus Tolton and Mother Mary Lange, who are on the path to canonization. “Such courageous witnesses and leaders are still needed today as we seek with the grace of God to eradicate all forms of racism,” he said.
Following Mass, the Knights of St. Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary held a private exemplification ceremony with Bishop Burbidge in attendance. During the ceremony, the Knights initiated Bishop Burbidge into the Bishop Paul S. Loverde Council 398. Following the initiation, Bishop Burbidge was exemplified into the Meritorious 4th Degree of the Knights of Peter Claver, Wilton Cardinal Gregory Assembly 53.
Jerry Cousin, a parishioner of Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville and chair of the diocesan Black Catholic Ministry, said that the monthlong observance provides an opportunity for reflection on the witness of Black Catholics throughout church history.
“(It) not only highlights the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of African American Catholics but also serves as a platform for educating the public on their often-overlooked achievements and struggles. It is an occasion to recognize the significant contributions of Black Catholics to the church and the world, which includes three African popes in the early church,” Cousin said.
Celebrating the history of Black Catholics means recognizing their faith and resilience amid discrimination, Cousin added.
“We honor the heritage, contributions and spiritual legacy of African Catholics,” Cousin said, “including more than 400 African Catholic saints, fostering unity and understanding within the diverse fabric of our Catholic faith.”
