BLACK HISTORY MONTH (2021) AND THE BLACK CATHOLIC FAMILY

BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND THE BLACK CATHOLIC FAMILY

M. LOWE, BA. DIP. ED. (EDUCATOR, POET AND SERVANT OF GOD)

Since 1976, every February has been designated as Black History Month in the United States; and today, it is also celebrated in other countries as well—whether there is a minority or majority—where it has been deemed worthy to recognize the significant contributions that people of African descent have made in their historical sojourn before, and beyond that of slavery!

Indeed, in the narrative of Ourstory, we must make it abundantly clear to our children—our Black Family Children and the children of others—that Ourstory as a people whose lives should matter throughout world, did not begin with slavery here in America. On the contrary, Ourstory began on the Continent of Africa, where man first saw the light of day; and where the first great civilizations and kingdoms began!

The theme for the 2021 celebration of Black History Month is, “The Black Family”. A great theme indeed; for it encompasses discovering and paying homage to the contributing role played by African and people of African descent families in the historical development of the world we now live in. Indeed, people of African descent have been in this world since the beginning; and this is well documented in the greatest book of the world: The Holy Bible.

Ironically, in the Christian world—to date—little note (save, footnotes) has been given to the roles that People of African descent have played in the founding, growth and developing of Christianity. And even the little attention that has been given, remains shadowed, overlooked, unknown and buried in old dusty documentations. To clarify what is being referenced here, let me point out that there has indeed been a great deal of focus on documentation of the awareness of “Black Spirituality” and the founding of “The Black Church” and its leaders due to racism; but there remains little awareness of the salient roles that people of African descent have played in the historical establishment and evolution of Christianity, itself.

Thus, taking my cue for this year’s Black History Month’s theme, I have chosen to focus on not just the Black Family in general nor just on the Black Family and Christianity, but more specifically, on the Black Catholic Family. In doing so—as a teacher—my target members of such families, are those school-age members attending

Catholic schools; many of whom have often informed me that they know very little—particularly—about Black Saints and other prominent Blacks who have played significant roles in the history of the Catholic Church. Thus, I deem it part of my mission-purpose as a Black Catholic and educator, to aid them and others who are also “in the dark” and in need of such awareness.

Before I proceed, let me make it abundantly clear that as a Black practicing Catholic of Senior Age years, I love my Church and continue to steep deeper in my faith each day that God continues to keep me perpendicular to the ground. My attention at this time—in spreading the Gospel of Peace and Love—is to spark awareness of Black Catholic history as part of celebrating Black History Month, 2021.

Recently, in a conversation with some close Catholic friends of my, I was informed that they were totally unaware that the Catholic Church has its own Black Catholic History Month! They had no knowledge of the fact that as far back as July 24, 1990, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States had been successful in petitioning the Church to designate November as Black Catholic History Month. They informed me that they had never heard of this in school nor at any mass. Like them, many of you are probably wondering the “why”, since here in America, there is already Black History Month in February; and why the month of November.

Well, it was deemed necessary that focus in the Catholic Church should be given to celebrating the pertinent long history and proud heritage and gifts that Catholics of African descent have brought to the Catholic Church over so many centuries of its foundation. And Catholics the world over, are aware that during November, there are several commemorative days in November of the Catholic Church Calendar that are observed in celebration; and that two of these in particular, celebrate the Birthday and Feast Day of two Saints of African descent.

When we check our Catholic Church Calendar, we note that November 1st, is All Saints Day—inclusive of celebrating numerous saints of African descent—during the first 300 years of the Church. On November 2nd, the Church celebrates All Souls Day in remembrance of all the faithfully departed past and present—inclusive of those Blacks of The Middle Passage, Slavery, those lynched and murdered in the past—and those who have died as a result of modern day racism.

November 3rd, in the Catholic Church, is the Feast Day of Saint Martin de Porres, the first African-American saint! Saint Martin de Porres was canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 16, 1962. It was through the study of the life of this Saint, that it was revealed to me—a Black Catholic coverted in my early teens and the son (PK) of a deceased Black Baptist Preacher—that my life’s mission-purpose was to be dedicated to serving God by being of and in the service of my fellow beings.

Moving on in the importance of the month of November in Black Catholic history, we are reminded that November 4th, is the birthday of Saint Monica, the African mother of Saint Augustine. She is the patron saint of religious conversion, married women and mothers. Saint Monica’s Feast Day in the Church is August 27.

Another momentous decision for choosing November as Black Catholic History Month was because November 13th is the Birthday of Saint Monica’s son, Saint Augustine. Augustine, a North African, though having an earlier hideous life, eventually, due to the faith and prayers of his mother, Saint Monica, “…became a priest, bishop, writer, theologian, and one of the greatest saints that ever lived.” He has further been acknowledged as “…one the most significant and influential thinkers in the history of the Church”…and this Black African Catholic and his teachings remain “solid-rock” foundations of/in Catholic doctrine today.

As we look forward to the this year’s celebration of February’s Black History Month, it has further come to my attention that many Black Christian Families—Catholics and Protestants—as well as Families of other ethnic descent (including European) are totally unaware that in the history of the Catholic Church there have been three Black African Popes who became Saints! These three popes were Saints Victor I, Melchiades, and Gelasius.

From research, we learn that Pope Saint Victor I (189-198/199) was the first pope in Catholic Church history to celebrate the liturgy and write Church documents in Latin rather than Greek (a testament of his mastery of these languages). His Feast Day is July 28. Pope Saint Melchiades (311-314) was the Pontiff during the time of Constantine the Great. And there was Pope Saint Gelasius I (492-496) who was the first pope to be called the Vicar of Christ.

Although factual history attests that all three of these Black saintly popes “…shepherded the early church through tough and tumultuous time in history”, there remains a large number of Black Catholics and those of other ethnic descent (including European) who are totally unaware of their roles and other saintly Blacks in the history of Christianity and the Catholic Church. Perhaps one of the many reasons that these saintly popes were and to this date, not known to be Black men—authentically, African—is because they, like most African Christians, of note, “carried” Latin names, as was the custom during their times.

Today, because of these saintly Black Popes and other “Blacks Who Died For Jesus”, Black Catholics and Black Christians have little difficulty in tracing “…their faith history back to Christian antiquity long before other nations heard…” what we today… refer to as the…“Good News.”

It is ironic that today, many people are unaware that Christianity did not originate in Europe and that Black Catholic history dates to the very beginning of the Church. Indeed, it has been proven and documented that Africa traces its Christian roots to the conversion of an Ethiopian man by Philip, the evangelist, sometime during the latter part of the first century A.D. (ACTs 8:28-39). And let us not forget that Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus carry His Cross up to Calvary. From any geography book, it can be discerned that Cyrene is located in North Africa. Despite Hollywood portraying him as White, Simon of Cyrene was indeed a Black man!

Yes, we Black Catholics and Black Christians in general here in America, on the Mother Continent, and throughout the world, have much to be proud of as we lend attention to discovering and celebrating the lives of the many holy persons of African descent who have historically contributed much to Catholicism and Christianity in general.

At this point, the teacher in me is coming out, saying that this is an opportune time to assign Black History Month homework. Below, is a list of a few Black Saints and other Holy Black People of God that every Catholic—irrespective of ethnicity—should know about; so here is you Black History Months “celebratory” homework. Give some computer and book time to research the lives of the holy persons listed below as well as others that you will become familiar with.

BLACK SAINTS AND OTHER HISTORICAL HOLY BLACK CATHOLICS

SAINT THECLA
SAINT TERTULLIAN
SAINT CYPRIAN
SAINT PERPETUA AND SAINT FELICITY
SAINT MARY OF EGYPT
SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA
SAINT BENEDICT THE MOOR
MOTHER MARY ELIZABETH LANGE
MOTHER HENRIETTE DELILLE
SISTER THEA BOWMAN

This year, 2021, as we celebrate Black History Month and its theme, “The Black Family” (and this presentation on the Black Catholic Family), I would be remised if I did not encourage us to petition the highest offices here in American, to officially—loud and clear—declare its stance on the Black Lives Matter Movement. Indeed, we cannot allow the Church to hide behind its Green-like debilitating mask-phrase, “…all lives matter...”

Contrary to the unawareness of many, the Black Lives Matter Movement, did not just begin a few years ago, rather, it was and continues to be a part of the ongoing Civil Rights Movement and the continuous fight for justice, peace and total liberation for African-Americans. It has been said that, “As Black Americans, we will never be part of the common American narrative of “immigrants coming to America for a better life…”, I myself, am convinced that our African ancestors made the greatest contributions—with their lives—to the initial economic growth and development of this country. Yet, to this day, we Blacks and other people of colour, remain less privileged than the descendants of contributing European white ancestors.

As the writer, Teresa Marie Carino has pointed out, fundamental to the moral vision of American society, is the principle that each life is sacred and each life has its God-given dignity. However, as she has emphasized, for far too long, this principle has lacked equanimity with respect to Black-America. Indeed, all lives cannot matter if black lives do not matter.

Indeed, Jesus in his life spent most of it in service to “the least of these…” as the “God of the Oppressed”. He never shied away from openly speaking on behalf of the ostracized because it might prove “too controversial”; rather, he stayed in “good-trouble” all the way to Calvary! Thus, Black Catholics must consistently remind the Catholic Church that it can no longer—as the Universal Church—make the Sign of the Cross and look away. All lives cannot matter if Black lives do not matter.

For those of you who are probably wondering why I—a Black Man—am still a devout Catholic, let me say this, I worship God; not man! And this presentation is just a part of my “ordained mission-purpose”: Being an instrument of God’s peace and a perpetuator of His Love—serving Him by being in/of services to my fellow beings in mind, body and soul.

Beginning with February and continuing on through November, enjoy celebrating the wonderful and magnificent ourstory of Black lives—beginning on the continent of Africa and—continuing on here in America. This will prove to be a mind-blowing and spiritual research journey towards a true celebration in December when we pay spiritual homage to the Birthday of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Peace and Love.

Love and the Mattering of Black Lives (+)

The language of love

Is best spoken

Through devotion

And service—

Being of service to God

By devoted service unto

Fellow Sisters and Brothers…

Speaking to self

Through contrary actions

Leads to self-oppressive hate

Resulting in coward acts

Killing fellow-hued oppressed

Because of fear

In dealing with the real forces

Of oppression in our village hoods;

Through the true language

Of love, we must come to foster

A new sable…ebony…black ethics

That targets the true oppressive forces

Seeking to destroy us

And preventing us from waging

The proper war bringing

Freedom coming to be…when

We take the risk to claim its liberation.

Let us be ever strengthened in the truth

And the love that has been bequeathed

From Him who is love and in whose love

There is no abiding place for festering fear,

For such love cannot be subtracted nor divided;

Such love cannot be lost, broken or taken away

Such transcending love can only be multiplied:

Today, may this mattering love awaken and grace us. grace us.

~M. Lowe, 02/2021

BLACK HISTORY MONTH (2021) AND THE BLACK CATHOLIC FAMILY

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