Lineage of Black Catholics

The lineage of Black Catholics goes back 2,000 years, specifically when St. Matthew left his career as a tax collector and devoted his life to the Lord as one of the Twelve Apostles. 

St. Matthew, who was present in the upper room when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles on what was the first Pentecost, would go on to share Jesus’ message of love and justice with the Africans, Asians and Europeans, all of whom were mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, which he authored. He was murdered for welcoming Queen Candice of Ethiopia into the church.

“I think it’s important for Catholics in the United States to realize that the Catholic Church was established in Africa by one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ in the Gospels,” said Father Josh Johnson, vocations director for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
As the church celebrates National Black Catholic History Month  during November, Father Johnson recalled the words of Sister Thea Bowman, who in 1989 spoke before the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Our history includes the services of Simon of Cyrene, the African man in the Gospels who helped Jesus carry the cross during the Passion of Christ,” Sister Thea said at the time. “Our history includes the search of the Ethiopian Eunuch in the Acts of the Apostles. Our history includes the contributions of Black Egypt in arts and sciences and mathematics & monasticism and politics.”

Father Johnson, the pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge, said through the years Black Catholics have made significant contributions to the church, including that of music. He said from the time of slavery, Black Catholics have gathered together and turned to music to express joy in community, sorrow in suffering and hope in the Lord.

“In 1987, Black Catholics produced the African American Catholic Hymnal, ‘Lead Me, Guide Me,’ ” Father Johnson said.  “This hymnal continues to help Catholics in the 21st century to cultivate their personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.”
He acknowledged that even though there are no Black Catholic saints from the United States, for the past 2,000 years Black popes, queens, monks, friars, nuns, priests, married couples, children and lay martyrs have been canonized and beatified. He mentioned Victor, the first African who defended the divinity of Jesus and was martyred for his fidelity to Christ; Blessed Victoire Rasoamanarivo, who was the princess of Madagascar and catechized her people when the religious in community were deported; St. Augustine of Hippo, recognized as a doctor of the church for his theological insights; St. Moses; and St. Martin de Porres, who traveled the world serving the poorest of the poor.
There is hope, however, as six American Black Catholics are in various stages of the canonization process. They include Venerable Augustus Tolton, Venerable Henriette Delille, Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Servant of God Julia Greely, Servant of God Mary Elizabeth Lange and Servant of God Sister Thea.

“When these men and women are recognized as canonized saints it will be a great gift to the entire church,” Father Johnson said.  “Their witness has the capacity to inspire a new generation of saints in the geographical boundaries of our diocese.”

As vocations director and the lone African American priest in the diocese, Father Johnson is energized by the challenge of recruiting more Blacks to the priesthood. In fact, progress has already been made.

Aeli Poydras, a parishioner at St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge, is now in formation. 
Father Johnson is optimistic Poydras might be the first of many.  

“I am certain that God is calling more men to answer the call to the priesthood,” Father Johnson said. “I encourage our pastors and priests throughout our diocese to seek out the men in their parish and personally invite them to pray and ask the Lord if he is inviting them to consider the priesthood.”

Father Johnson stressed the importance of National Black Catholic History Month, calling it a time to celebrate.

“When we know the contributions of Black Catholics for the past 2,000 years, we can be inspired to build upon their legacy and continue to go out and make disciples of all nations no matter the cost,” he said.