Homily for the 33Rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Black Catholic Heritage Sunday by Father Mark Moretti

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Black Catholic Heritage Sunday By Father Mark Moretti Here at Christ the Redeemer Parish, I am sure you have noticed that since late October we have had a table in the lobby with excellent prayer cards and literature highlighting the life and accomplishments of our brother and sisters in the black Catholic community. It is a modest tribute to the amazing journey of black Catholics throughout the history of the United States. But these American achievements of our brethren have roots in ancient African history as well. Let me just identify a few to make them come to life for us. St. Simon of Cyrene was an African who figured prominently in three of the four Gospel accounts of the Passion of Christ. This passerby, a man from what is today eastern Libya, was compelled by the Roman soldiers to carry the Cross of Christ behind Him as he made His painful journey to the execution at Calvary. Carrying the Holy Cross changed Simon’s life forever, and he became a well- respected member of the early Christian community after the Resurrection of the Lord. Twenty years later, Simeon of Niger and Lucius of Cyrene are mentioned by name in the Acts of the Apostles as important figures in the early church at Antioch. With the preaching of the Apostles and their companions, the Christian faith spread quickly and exuberantly throughout Northern and Eastern Africa, bringing many converts to Christ. These men and women exemplified total love of Jesus and devotion to the Church. In the breviary, a priest reads with fascination the insights of great African Christians like St. Clement of Alexandria, St. Cyprian, and St. Augustine. We are inspired by the courage of the many black martyrs, like St. Perpetua and St. Felicity, or the great St. Maurice and his companions who suffered Roman execution for their love and devotion in Christ. Africa has given the Church three Popes, the most remarkable being Victor I who established practices and disciplines in the Church that exist to this very day. To these remarkable individuals and so many more, we owe a debt of gratitude for countless contributions to the life and spirituality we enjoy in the universal Catholic Church. In November, we pay special honor to our black Catholic brothers and sisters who have made similar contributions in the United States despite daunting trials and difficulties throughout the centuries. Brought to the colonies by Spanish, French and English slave ships, these ancestors endured the misery of bondage, abuse, lack of education, and no civil rights. It is an irony of history that a great nation like the United States, founded upon the principles of the Declaration of Independence, has historically had a penchant for legally declaring entire categories of people as unworthy of constitutional protection: African Americans, Native Americans, and now the unborn children. But the grace of the Holy Spirit is still at work and has transformed the hearts of many Americans to show us what Jesus would do, and to treat all people with love, respect and dignity. It is an on-going mission, and one the Church accepts as an essential part of the New Evangelization. I would like to highlight the work in the Catholic Church of special black priests, religious and laity who made the world a better place as a result of their life in Christ. Venerable Pierre Toussaint, a former slave who came to the United States in 1787 rose in prominence in New York City. Throughout the late 18th century and mid-19th century, Pierre was well known for his holiness, compassion, and deep devotion to his Catholic faith. A daily communicant, he would be seen at Mass even in the midst of winter blizzards that would often paralyze the city for days. Along with his wife Juliette, his home became a refuge for black travelers, and an orphanage for many black children. When he died in 1853 at the age of 87, he was lauded throughout the city as a man of unparalleled holiness and decency. Pierre is honored as the only lay Catholic buried in the crypt of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. The cause for his canonization continues apace. Elizabeth Clarisse Lange, born in Cuba in 1784, would eventually emigrate to the United States and become the foundress of the first African American religious congregation – the Oblate Sisters of Providence. Thousands of black children benefitted from the Catholic education that Mother Mary Lange and her companions provided in both the pre- and post-Civil War era of Baltimore, Maryland. Saint Frances Academy is still very much a part of the life and spirituality of downtown Baltimore to this very day and stands as a symbol of the dedication of this wonderful Servant of God. When Mother Lange died at the age of 98 in 1882, she was praying her Rosary and inspiring the next generation of Oblate sisters. Breaking through the barriers imposed by society was always difficult. Nevertheless, Fr. Augustus Tolton became a legendary priest and spiritual director for his congregation. And, from very humble beginnings, black vocations to the priesthood have grown throughout the years. Despite many problems, lack of opportunity, and racial discrimination, the Healy family of Macon County Georgia gave three sons and three daughters to the church as priests and religious. James Augustine Healy would distinguish himself as one of the relatively few black Catholic priests serving on the East Coast, and the first to be named a bishop. He assumed the episcopacy in 1875 and served as the bishop of Portland Maine until his death in 1900. His brother, Patrick Francis Healy, SJ, would rise to become the president of Georgetown University and transform the institution through revised curricula and services that has made Georgetown University a world class college today. And Alexander Healy would eventually be ordained and ultimately serve as rector of the Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Boston. In the 20th century, the Society of the Divine Word and the Society of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart would educate and ordain black men to the priesthood, lead mission trips, and staff parishes wherever they were needed. In our own diocese of Arlington, St. Joseph Parish in Alexandria began with the help of the Josephite Fathers and a generous contribution from Saint Katherine Drexel to build a church to serve the needs of black Catholics in the city. This year, it joyfully celebrates its 85th anniversary. In these formative decades, the Church has seen black bishops rise and assume roles of prominence that would be the joy of many of their ancestors. The current head of the National Black Catholic Congress is Bishop Roy Campbell. And Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, will make history and become the first black American to be named cardinal at the end of this month at the consistory in Rome when he is consecrated by Pope Francis. The liturgical practices of the Church in the United States have been influenced by black Catholic tradition in several ways. The US bishops have approved the use of a hymnal that highlights unique black liturgical and praise music. Consequently, here at Christ the Redeemer, we enjoy performing pieces from the “Lead me, guide me” collection. Gospel choirs, praising God with an upbeat and charismatic flair bring a liveliness to any Mass. And black priests and deacons have adopted a more enhanced sermon style that emphasizes not just the content of Catholic doctrine, but an approach that is engaging and often enjoyable. Both traditional black Catholic congregations and others have welcomed this style in the past several decades. It is a reflection of the rich cultural tradition in the black Catholic community. Finally, we can look with admiration to many thousands of black Catholics who play significant roles in government, education, medicine, athletics and entertainment. From Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to Michael Steele and Muriel Bowzer, black Catholics are active in government and making a difference. Everyone is thrilled by the world class gymnastics of Simone Biles. The Georgetown University Hoyas basketball team lost a giant back in August when the great John Thomson, Jr. passed away, leaving a legacy of sportsmanship and Catholic faith that is hard to match. The list goes on and on. Today, as we celebrate with joy these wonderful figures in our Church, we know that more will be required of future generations to learn and understand the heritage our black Catholic brothers and sisters have passed along to the Church in America. I am convinced that there are children yet to be born who will write their doctoral research papers on this abundant history. In the meantime, with prayers and solidarity, we can thank God for the many blessings He has given all of us, and the joy we all share as being united in one heart and soul in the Body of Christ. May God bless you! Homilía del Trigésimo Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Domingo de la Herencia Católica Negra Por el Padre Mark Moretti Aquí, en la parroquia Cristo Redentor, estoy seguro de que han notado que desde finales de octubre hemos tenido una mesa en el vestíbulo con excelentes tarjetas de oración y literatura que refleja la vida y los logros de nuestros hermanos y hermanas en la comunidad católica negra. Es un modesto tributo al asombroso viaje de los católicos negros a lo largo de la historia de los Estados Unidos. Pero estos logros estadounidenses de nuestros hermanos también tienen raíces en la historia africana antigua.

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