Martin de Porres Foundation

Prrelates, priests, politicians, and the people prayed, processed, and pomped Sunday evening as Venerable Pierre Toussaint, a Black Catholic saint, took his permanent place among the Big Apple sign poles.

One excellent place for such a dialogue to begin is in our houses of worship. In these places, we are called to a higher morality and way of life based on love of God and neighborand we profess to be people of reconciliation. The only question remaining is if we are trusting enough in God’s graces to lead us to open our hearts and be changed.

Philadelphia Black Catholic History

We applaud this and hope that all the Archdiocesan Schools are this intentional. Representation matters

Born in Sudan in 1869, St. Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped and sold into slavery as a young girl. After being traumatized and traded many times, she landed in Italy and found her way to both freedom and faith. February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Once Josephine was freed, she became a Canossian nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering. She was declared a Saint in 2000. Catholics all over the world are encouraged to host or attend prayer services to create greater awareness about this phenomenon. Through prayer, we not only reflect on the experiences of those that have suffered through this affront to human dignity, but also comfort, strengthen, and help empower survivors.

"A self-proclaimed, old folks child, Thea Bowman, named at birth, Bertha Elizabeth Bowman, the daughter of middle-aged parents, Dr. Theon Bowman, a physician ...and Mary Esther Bowman, a teacher. She was born in 1937 and reared in Canton, Mississippi. As a child she converted to Catholicism by the influence of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity who were her teachers and nurtured her faith. Growing up, Thea listened and learned from the wit and wisdom of the elders. Ever precocious, she would ask questions and seek new insights on how her elders lived, thrived and survived. She learned from family members and those in the community coping mechanisms and survival skills. She was exposed to the richness of the African-American culture: the history, the stories, the music, the songs, the rituals, the prayers, the symbols, the foods, the customs and traditions. Moreover, she was cognizant that God was indeed the God of the poor and oppressed. Her community instructed her, If you get, giveif you learn, teach. She developed a deep and abiding love and faith in a God who would make 'a way out of no way!'" #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackCatholicHistory #ThursdaysWithThea #theabowman

Remembering Black Catholic Leaders who have passed in 2020. May God welcome them with open arms and may they continue to pray for us and inspire us. https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.com/in-memoriam-2020/

Thank you Sr Josephine Garrett for sharing your story https://osvnews.com//black-catholics-need-to-tell-their-/

BCM co-founder Alessandra Harris speaks out in support of Gloria Purvis, one of the most powerful Black Catholic voices in an unfathomably challenging year.

https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.com/in-memoriam-2020/

Rejoice, Our Savior is Born! - https://mailchi.mp/cbf93f/rejoice-our-savior-is-born-841467