The celebration of Kwanzaa is near, lasting annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Each day of the commemoration highlights one of the Nguzo Saba (Swahili for “Seven Principles), a series of values important to the Black community stateside and abroad.
The celebration was first envisioned by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an activist and author who, in the wake of the devastating Watts riots of 1965 in Los Angeles, saw a need for African Americans to develop their own holiday to foster unity and identity.
This year, Catholics around the country are continuing their own Kwanzaa traditions. This includes Black parishes and organizations seeking to connect their faith to their cultural identity—as many non-Black Catholics do around the world. Below is a listing of such events around the country. (Are we missing your event? Email us at tips@blackcatholicmessenger.org.)
National
- 12/29 (virtual): Christ Kwanzaa webinar with the Knights of Peter and Ladies Auxiliary Northern States District.
Baltimore
- 12/26: Kwanzaa celebration with Janice the Griot at St. Cecelia Catholic Church.
- 12/26-1/24: Kwanzaa commitment blood drive with historic St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Brooklyn
- 12/27: Kwanzaa celebration with the Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church.
Chicago
- 12/26: Kinara lighting with the St. Veronica Kwanzaa Ministry and the Village of Flossmoor at Flossmoor Park.
- 12/27: Kwanzaa celebration during Mass at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Evanston. Reception to follow.
- 12/28: Kwanzaa Mass at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Flossmoor. Reception to follow.
Louisville
- 12/26: “Umoja: A Day of Unity” with the River City Drum Corp and Play Cousins Collective at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.
Los Angeles
- 12/27: Kujichagulia celebration during Mass at St. Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic Church. Potluck to follow.
New Orleans
- 12/27: Kwanzaa celebration with the New Orleans Association of Black Social Workers and SPC Family Life Committee at St. Peter Claver Catholic School at 6pm CT.
Oakland
- 12/28: Kwanzaa community celebration at St. Columba Catholic Church.
- 1/4: Kwanzaa celebration at St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Springfield in Massachusetts
- 12/28: Kwanzaa celebration with the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary and the Black Catholic Apostolate of Springfield at the St. Michael’s Cathedral’s Bishop Marshall Center.
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
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