Home / Resources / Black Catholic History Month

Black Catholic History Month

The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States designates November as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate and remember the heritage of Black Catholics. Africa traces its Christian roots to the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch by Philip the Deacon as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (8: 26-40).  North Africa subsequently became an important Church center in early Christianity.

The following people are just a sampling of those who help form the heritage of Black Catholics.  For more, please consult the National Black Catholic Congress website.

African American FlagLearn more about these
Black Catholic Pioneers and Saints
by clicking a link.
 Mother Harriet Delille
Ven. Harriett Delille
(1812-1862)
Foundress,
Sisters of the Holy Family

St. Anthony the Great

 

Saint Anthony the Great (251–356)
Father of Western Monasticism
 
Father Patrick Healy

 

Father Patrick Healy, SJ
(1834-1910)
President of Georgetown University

St. Augustine

 

Saint Augustine of Hippo
(354-430)
Doctor of the Church 

Mother Mary Lange

 

Mother Mary Lange
(1784-1882)
Foundress,
Oblate Sisters of Providence

St. Benedict the Moor

 

Saint Benedict the Moor (1526-1589)
Counselor and Healer 

Fr. Augustine Tolton

 

Father Augustine Tolton
(1854-1897)
Canonization in Process
Saints Felicitas and Perpetua
Saints Felicitas and Perpetua
(d. 203)
Early Christian Martyrs

Mother Mary Theodore Williams

 
Mother Theodore Williams
(1868-1931)
Foundress,
Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary

Saint Martin de Porres

 

Saint Martin de Porres (1579-1639)
Patron of Interracial Harmony
 

Sr. Thea Bowman

 

Sister Thea Bowman
(1937-1990) 
Educator & Advocate for Intercultural Awareness

Ven. Pierre Tousaint

 

 
Ven. Pierre Tousaint
(1766-1853)
Layman