Each month, BCM rounds up events and opportunities that we believe Black Catholics should know about. November holds special significance as Black Catholic History Month, offering an opportunity to celebrate the rich history and invaluable contributions of Black Catholics to the Church.
We’re proud to highlight the many ways Catholic parishes, communities, and organizations are honoring this legacy and celebrating the gift of Black Catholic faith and witness.
Whether you’re attending an event in your diocese or traveling to another community, we hope you’ll find an opportunity to participate in at least one of the events below!
If you know of an event that is not listed below, email Sheila@blackcatholicmessenger.org
October 25th - November 2nd
Established through the advocacy of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, Black Catholic History Month was established in 1990. The first celebration of Black Catholic History Month began in November that year with the celebration of St. Martin de Porres’ Feast Day (Nov 3rd.).
St. Martin de Porres is renowned for his exceptional acts of charity, social justice and compassion (particularly towards the poor and marginalized).
Zoom Link: https://www.bit.ly/StMichaelAAMEN-StMartindePorresNovena
Meeting ID: 82809441247
Passcode: 500591
October 31st-November 1st - Diocese of Gary 4th Annual Black Catholic History Month Celebration - Gary, Indiana
November 1st - St. Martin de Porres Mass - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
November 1st - All Saints Day & Black Catholic History Mass - St. Augustine, Florida
November 1st-2nd - Loyola University New Orleans Black Catholic History Month Mass & Talk - New Orleans, Louisiana
November 2nd - Black Catholics: Footsteps to Sainthood CatholicTV Docuseries Premiere - Stream Live or On Demand on the CatholicTV app
For the past two years, Subcommittee on African American Affairs has been collaborating with CatholicTV to create a documentary series focusing on the original "Saintly Six" - the Black Catholics with causes for Canonization originating from US Dioceses.
The trailer can be viewed here.
The first episode, which will feature Fr. Augustus Tolton, will air on CatholicTV Networks around the globe this Black Catholic History Month . It will air Monday, November 2nd at 8:30pm EST.
A new episode is scheduled to air each month following.
A press release is can be found here with more details and viewing options.
November 2nd - Black Catholic Sisters Conference's Pre-Election Prayer Service - Virtual
Use this link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9rU7Sw60TKaq0H2QE8cssQ#/registration
November 4th - Black Catholic History Month: We are one with Jesus Christ - Virtual
We are one with Jesus Christ -Join Us In Prayer!
WEEKLY ROSARY SCHEDULE:
Pray the Black Catholic History Rosary Weekly at 7:00 PM via Zoom
(For Zoom Link, send request to aamen@stmcary.org)
Wed. Nov 4: Glorious Mystery: The Black Catholic Response
Thu. Nov 12: Luminous Mystery: Dedicated of the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Causes
Mon. Nov 16: Joyful Mystery: Education/Social/Economic Justice
Tue. Nov 24: Sorrowful Mystery: Historical Documents from Black Catholics
November 5th - A Conversation with the Cardinal - New Orleans, Louisiana
Nocember 7th - Hearing God's Call: History of the Few African American Catholic Bishops - Deerwood, Maryland
November 7th - Black Saints Celebration & Parade - New Orleans, Louisiana
Join the Office of Black Catholic Ministries on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as we celebrate Black Catholic faith, history, culture, and heritage!
THEME: “Honoring Our Roots, Celebrating Our Faith: Many Tribes, One Spirit!”
Saturday, November 7, 2026
10:00 AM – Parade
Begins at Brother Martin High School and ends at St. Martin de Porres Parish.
11:30 AM – Prayer Service
St. Martin de Porres Parish, 5621 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans, LA
Presider: Archbishop James F. ChecchioPreacher: Dr. Ansel Augustine
Reception immediately follows the Prayer Service!
GET READY FOR A JOYFUL PARADE!
Leading our parade will be the St. Augustine High School Marching 100, joined by the St. Mary's Academy Marching Band and Mademoiselle Dwyn School of Dance!
CALLING ALL YOUTH GROUPS, KNIGHTS OF PETER CLAVER JUNIOR DIVISIONS, PARISH MINISTRIES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS!
Create a banner representing your group and join the parade! Let's come together to celebrate our faith, honor our roots, and showcase the beauty of our cultures and traditions Register your group today (504) 861-6207 or bcatholics@arch-no.org
Bring your family, invite your friends, and spread the word! Let's fill the streets with faith, fellowship, music, and celebration as we kick off Black Catholic History Month!
November 7th - Hope, Unity & Relationships: A Mental Health Retreat - Baltimore, Maryland
Presented by the Archdiocese of Baltimore Office of Black Catholic MinistriesNovember 7, 2026 from 9AM to 2PM
New All Saints Church
4408 Liberty Road, Baltimore, MD 21207
November 8th - The Sisters of St. Joseph and Black Catholic History Event - St. Augustine, Florida
November 11 th - Tolton Speaks Documentary Screening - Lake Charles, Louisiana
November 12th - "Sweet Sweet Spirit: The Gift of Black Catholic Liturgy" Webinar - Virtual
For Black Catholic History Month, the Subcommittee on African American Affairs will collaborate on a webinar with the Archbishop Lyke Foundation, and the National Association for Pastoral Musicians (presently known as the National Association of Catholic Church Musicians) on Black Catholic Liturgy.
You can register for the webinar here.
November 13th - Tolton: From Slave to Priest Film Screening - Garden Grove, California
November 14th - Black Catholic Flourishing Event - San Antonio, Texas
November 14th - Nourished by the Word, Send to the World Morning of Reflection - Sugarland, Texas
November 14th-15th - Faith that Endures: Witness Through Struggle & Hope - Durham & Cary, North Carolina
Join us as we honor the rich history, faith, and contributions of Black Catholics and reflect on their enduring witness of holiness, perseverance, and discipleship.
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Holy Cross Catholic Church
2438 S. Alston Avenue, Durham, NC 27713
Time: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Sunday, November 15, 2026
St. Michael The Archangel
804 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513
Time: 6:30PM
Click Link To Register (IMPORTANT TO REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 9TH):
https://form.jotform.com/262507634069158
November 20th-21st - 2026 Annual BCAC Conference - Seattle, Washington
All are welcome to join us in celebrating Black Catholic History Month at the Black Catholic Advisory Circle (BCAC) Annual Conference. This is an opportunity to participate in compassionate conversations about the historical contributions of Black Catholics and learn more about ongoing efforts for reconciliation and inclusion through reparatory justice.
The conference will be held from Friday to Saturday, November 20-21 at the Seattle University Student Center in Seattle:
- Friday schedule: 6pm to 8:30 pm
- Panel Discussion: Pope Leo XIV’s “Magnifica Humanitas”
- Saturday schedule:
- 8 am to 4:30 pm: Keynote Addresses and Presentations
- 5 pm: Mass presided by Bishop Frank Schuster, Vicar for Multicultural Ministry at St. Ignatius Chapel
The Keynote speaker is Fr. Manuel Williams, C.R., CFRE, M.Div., Th.M., Director of Resurrection Catholic Missions of the South, Inc., Pastor of Resurrection Catholic Church in Montgomery, Alabama, and contributing author to Preaching Racial Justice (Orbis Books, 2023). Other speakers include:
- Kate Albrandt, descendant of one of the Georgetown University 272
- Fr. Scott Santarosa, S.J., Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, San Diego, CA
- Tamika Royes, journalist and author of “Why ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ matters for Black Catholics”
and many others.
The Black Catholic Advisory Circle provides a voice for black Catholics to the Archdiocese of Seattle and the archbishop.
To register, please click here: https://archseattle.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/8565/responses/new
Cost:$50 in advance, $60 at the door
Students:$20 in advance, $30 at the door
For any questions, please contact Make Gallitelli, Director of Intercultural Integration at the Archdiocese of Seattle, at Make.Gallitelli@seattlearch.org.
Co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Black Catholic Advisory Circle and the Seattle University Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture.
November 21st - HBCU: Honoring Our Legacy and Inspiring Our Future Through Faith, Education, & Community Event - Fairfield, Alabama
November 22nd - Diocese of Rockville Centre Black Catholic History Month Mass - Rockville Centre, New York
November 28th - St. Joseph Church is embracing the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kibeho - Toms River, New Jersey
Our Lady of Kibeho, also known as Our Lady of Sorrows of Kibeho, is a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary based on the Marian apparitions reported in the 1980s, before the horrible 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
On Saturday, November 28, the feast day of Our Lady of Kibeho, we will celebrate God’s love for all humanity at the 8am Mass, followed by the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows. The celebrant and guest speaker for the Mass will be Fr. Scott Shaffer, pastor of St. Joseph Church.
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kibeho gives the message that we stand firm against genocides occurring in the world. The Blessed Virgin Mary of Kibeho urged the people of Rwanda to pray and seek God’s grace for true repentance and conversion. She taught the visionaries to pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows and to teach it to others. She said, “My message of repentance and conversion is not only for Rwanda, but for the World”.The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows provides a way to reflect on and pray for the innocent who suffer around the World, while motivating communities to cultivate peace, understanding, and moral vigilance.
November 28th - Only God: A Journey of Encounters, Conversion, and Endurance - Baltimore, Maryland
November 28, 2026 | 9:30AM – 2:30PM
Historic St. Francis Xavier
1501 E. Oliver Street, Baltimore, MD 21213
The Keep On Teaching, 2026 theme will explore scripture stories focusing on the power of encountering Jesus that led to the conversion of Souls. It will be an opportunity to pause and reflect on Your conversion story as You journey towards holiness. Additionally, an exploration of significant Sankofa moments of Black Catholic History that led The People of God to unite and endure…ONLY GOD!
Keynote: Fr. Gregory Chisholm, SJ
November 30th- December 21 - Advent: Work for the Coming of Justice! - Virtual
Join New Encounters: Catholics Confronting Racism as we discuss the theme of “Work for the Coming of Justice” with Daryl Grigsby, author of Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering. This 4-week Online Series via Zoom, will be held on Mondays, November 30th through December 21st, from 7-8 pm.
Contact: newencounterscatholics@gmail.com
Register now: https://cranaleith.secure.retreat.guru/program/advent-work-for-the-coming-of-justice/?form=1&lang=en
