On a bright but cold Saturday morning, Catholics from across The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington gathered at the Church of the Incarnation in Washington, D.C., for the annual Mass celebrating Black History Month. The church’s rainbow-colored stained-glass windows cast multicolored light across the sanctuary, while images of seven U.S. Black Catholics on the path to sainthood – known as the “Saintly Seven” – were displayed at the altar.
The Mass, held on Feb. 22, was sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach. Washington Auxiliary Bishop Roy Campbell Jr. served as the principal celebrant, joined by Josephite Father Stephen Sohe, the pastor of the Church of the Incarnation, along with other priests and deacons.
The Archdiocese of Washington Gospel Mass Choir, directed by Lynne Gray and Henry Herrera, led praise and worship music before leading the singing at the Mass. Following the liturgy, attendees gathered for fellowship.
Also in attendance were a Knights of Columbus color guard, Knights of Peter Claver and their Ladies Auxiliary, Knights of St. John International and their Ladies Auxiliary, seminarians from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Washington, D.C., and consecrated religious from various communities.
Bishop Campbell’s homily focused on faith, dignity, and perseverance. He began by addressing the importance of recognizing self-worth and treating others with love and equality, saying, “To do this as Black American people and all people of color – in fact, all people – we not only have to be accepted by our fellow Americans with the love and equality that all of God’s children deserve, but we must also accept our fellow Americans with the love and equality that all of God’s children deserve. That’s the dignity of every human being!”
The bishop then invited the congregation to reflect on their self-worth and God-given mission, noting, “I know that all of us looked into the mirror this morning as we got ready for this day. What did we see in the mirror? An exact image of ourselves looking back at us. What else should we see in that mirror? A person created in God’s own image and likeness. A body that is a temple of our Lord through our Baptism. A person with God-given gifts that He calls us to use to benefit not only ourselves but to benefit those we encounter today.”
Bishop Campbell emphasized that a person’s worth is not defined by material wealth but by the love they share with others.
“The worth of the person we saw in that mirror this morning cannot be valued in gold or silver, but in the love of God that flows in us, and through us, to give us the courage, wisdom, persistence, and fortitude to know that our worth is measured in the love we give to one another,” he said.
He then pointed to Black Americans and others of African descent who exemplify courage, faith, and perseverance in the face of adversity, including Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, and St. Josephine Bakhita. He recounted that saint’s journey of faith, describing how she was kidnapped as a child, sold into slavery, and endured years of hardship before eventually gaining her freedom and converting to Christianity in Italy.
“Despite all the ill treatment she endured, she thanked those who had enslaved her, because without that series of events, she might never have come to know our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “And now we call her Saint.”
Bishop Campbell also cited Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an example of nonviolent perseverance in the pursuit of justice. Speaking about the history of racism in America, he emphasized faith as a means of overcoming division.
“By his nonviolent approach, Dr. King gives us the example of persistence and fortitude while never losing sight of the goal of human diversity, human equality, and inclusion for all human beings,” the bishop said.
DEI and the role of the Church
Bishop Campbell connected the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to Scripture, emphasizing that these values reflect God’s justice and love. He also drew a linguistic connection between DEI and Dei, the Latin word for “of God.”
“The current presidential administration, led by Donald J. Trump, wants to erase diversity, equity, and inclusion from the American conscience,” he said. “But think about the acronym DEI – during this Mass, we will pray the Agnus Dei, meaning ‘Lamb of God.’”
Expanding on this idea, Bishop Campbell described how diversity, equity, and inclusion align with biblical teachings. Citing the Book of Genesis, he explained that diversity is part of God’s design.
He emphasized how in the Psalms, equity is a reflection of God’s justice. “Equity is the truth of the justice of God applied to everyone, regardless of where people are from, with love,” he said.
The bishop then referenced the Book of Joshua, describing inclusion as central to living out God's law. “Inclusion is living the law of the Lord as one. That law is to love God by the way we love one another,” he said.
Bishop Campbell concluded that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just societal concepts but divine principles. “To me, DEI means that God is always working among us and through us for the eternal life of each of us,” he said.
Voices from the congregation
For many attendees, the Mass was both a spiritual experience and a moment of personal reflection.
Denise Boon, a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was moved by the celebration and said she wished similar Masses were held more often.
“It’s good for the Church,” she said.
For Boon, the Mass at the Church of the Incarnation was especially meaningful – it was her childhood parish, although she had not returned in 50 years. She recalled attending Latin Mass as a child and receiving both her First Communion and Confirmation there. This year, she was drawn back for the occasion because her husband is a third-degree Knight of Columbus.
“It’s important to recognize how much more diverse the Church is now than when I was a child,” she said.
For Joann Edwards, a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, D.C., the experience was both uplifting and bittersweet.
“The homily gave me a good feeling, but I wish the church was more crowded,” she said. “Maybe next year, we should each bring a young person. It’s a message they all need to hear.”
Edwards also had deep personal ties to the Church of the Incarnation – it was her mother’s home parish, where she grew up attending Mass. Both her son and daughter received their sacraments there, making this year’s celebration a return to familiar and sacred ground.
Among those reflecting on the homily’s message were Lawrence Omatola and Emmanuel Onuoha, Josephite seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Omatola dismissed concerns that Bishop Campbell’s homily might be viewed as political, saying it aligned with the Church’s fundamental teachings.
“He preached what is right. We are called to preach love and integrity to everyone,” he said.
Onuoha expanded on the theme of advocacy within the Church, particularly as it relates to social justice issues affecting the people whom the Church serves.
“Government makes policies that affect the Church and the people who attend our Church, (including) immigration policies that can restrict priests and members of our communities, for example,” he said. “It’s important that we speak up when policies affect the people the Church serves. We are obligated to voice our concern.”
Referencing Pope St. John Paul II, Onuoha noted that the Church has long been engaged in political and social issues. “I don’t think there’s a way the Church could not get involved,” he said.
Reflecting on Bishop Campbell’s remarks about diversity, equity, and inclusion, Onuoha emphasized the importance of recognizing the value each person brings to the Church.
“DEI represents having a whole body of people, each offering up their best,” he said.
Honoring Black Catholic history
Bishop Campbell also reflected on the historical injustices faced by Black Americans, particularly those who lived and died in enslavement without recognition of their dignity as children of God. He emphasized that today’s progress stands on their shoulders and highlighted the importance of continuing the work of justice and equality.
As part of this recognition, the Mass honored seven U.S. Black Catholics on the path to sainthood:
- Venerable Pierre Toussaint
- Venerable Mother Mary Lange
- Venerable Father Augustus Tolton
- Venerable Henriette Delille
- Servant of God Julia Greeley
- Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman
- Servant of God Friar Martin Maria de Porres Ward
Their lives are recognized for their faith, dedication to service, and commitment to justice, reflecting the Catholic Church’s teachings on love and salvation.
Bishop Campbell also spoke about an initiative within The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington to honor those who died in slavery, many in unmarked graves, by working alongside their descendants to seek just recognition. He noted that the Jesuit order, which historically enslaved Black people, is also collaborating on this effort.
He concluded with a call to action, emphasizing the Church’s teaching that true justice and equality are realized when every person is recognized as a child of God. He encouraged attendees to live in peace and love and to use their God-given gifts in service to others.
“Don’t let anyone or anything sway you from using the gifts that God has given you. He is always with you and in you, and if you let His Holy Spirit guide you, you will have God’s love and you will know that you are priceless in His eyes,” Bishop Campbell said.
A recording of the Archdiocese of Washington’s annual Mass celebrating Black History Month is available for viewing online. To watch the full livestream, visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/SeGdorJH5Yo.
