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Black Catholics Celebrate Unique Heritage with Mass

by Debbie Shelley | Diocese of Baton Rouge
During November, Black Catholics proudly remember their history and heritage within the Catholic Church. Their liturgies feature dynamic gospel music, animated preaching, liturgical dancing, and expressive prayer to honor those who have contributed to the traditions of the Church despite opposition.

The Office of Black Catholics joined in the national celebration of Black Catholic History Month with a Mass on Nov. 2, All Souls Day. The event, themed “Thriving as Sons and Daughters of God,” took place at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge.

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Love With Action Black Catholic History Offers Strength and Hope in Our Quest for Justice

By Ralph McCloud | Network Lobby

I met Sr. Thea Bowman a couple of times. What is there to say about meeting a living saint? It was an honor? A joy? It strengthened my faith? 

Absolutely! 

Meeting Sr. Thea challenged me in my mission as a baptized believer. Her 1989 address to the U.S. bishops is a landmark event in Black Catholic History in the United States, and I try to revisit it every November, if not more often. 

November is Black Catholic History Month, an observance that coincides with the feast of St. Martin de Porres (November 3), and the birthday of St. Augustine (November 13). It begins with All Saints and All Souls Days, which evoke the reverence for ancestors in African history. For us, this cloud of witnesses isn’t merely watching. They inspire us, help us, and hold us accountable. 

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Inside the Core: Celebrating Black Catholic History Month

We are excited to celebrate two very important events this coming week, events both linked to larger celebrations, campus-wide. As part of Black Catholic History Month, we are hosting a panel on “Tranformational Journeys: the Legacy of African Saints Series.”  at 5 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, our panel of experts will explore the topic of African Saints, a large number of individuals including saints like Simon of Cyrene, Perpetua and Felicity and Martin de Porres. In Core II, Perpetua’s prison journal, her Passio, is a required text.

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U.S. bishops meet this week, will review health care guidelines

By Gina Christian, OSV News

During its 2025 fall plenary assembly, which will take place Nov. 10-13 in Baltimore, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will consider possible revisions to its “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services,” or ERD, document.

Now in its sixth edition, the ERD document — developed in consultation with medical professionals and theologians, and regularly reviewed by the USCCB — articulates ethical standards for health care in light of Church teaching, and provides authoritative guidance on moral issues encountered by Catholic health care.