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By Daniel P. Horan | National Catholic Reporter

In the late 18th century, the British philosopher Jeremy Bentham, who is largely recognized as the founder of the modern utilitarianism school of philosophical thought, sketched out the design for a new kind of prison. He called it the “panopticon,” drawing on the Greek root word panoptes meaning “all seeing.” It was an architectural proposal that sought to solve issues related to prisoner unrest, rebellion and undiscipline in a context where there were significantly fewer guards than there were prisoners.

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is from The National Black Catholic Congress’ website.

During Black History Month this February, revisit or learn more about the seven holy African American men and women on the path to sainthood.

According to The National Black Catholic Congress, seven Black Catholics are currently on the canonization journey. They are Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, Venerable Henriette Delille, Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Venerable Mother Mary Lange, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, Servant of God Julia Greeley and Servant of God Friar Martin de Porres Maria Ward.

On September 11, 1987, Saint John Paul II made a historic visit to New Orleans, where he met and addressed its Black Catholic community. Through the words and actions of these encounters, Saint John Paul II delivered a powerful message to Catholics everywhere about the gifts that Black Catholics bring to the Church, a message that still resonates deeply in our society today.

A temporary exhibit for the month of February was inaugurated on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at St. John Paul II Shrine in Washington, DC, that testifies the importance of this historic visit through photos and objects from the Shrine’s collection and from Xavier University’s archives. The exhibit opening featured speakers Dr. Ansel Augustine, Assistant Director of African American Affairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and New Orleans native, and Mrs. Therese Wilson Favors, former Director of the Office of African American Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, both of them present at the 1987 event.

Click the play button above to watch the exhibit inaugural program, or click the link below.

Watch the video…

By John Lavenburg / CRUX

Reflecting on Black History Month, Cardinal Wilton Gregory recalled how young people in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C., often climb on the bronze statue of Carter G. Woodson, rub his head, and try to figure out why he got a statue in their neighborhood.

By Lissette Nuñez | ABC 7 Eyewitness News

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) — An Oak Park church is honoring the life and legacy of a former Chicago priest during Black History Month.

Father Augustus Tolton was the first Black Catholic priest in the United States.