I can reflect with fondness on the anticipatory expectations of the summer break period in my younger years as a student. Personally, I had the privilege of attending Catholic schools. This was even more unique because Catholic education in the province of Ontario is publicly funded, making it accessible to a wide array of students.
My educational experience was in a predominantly Italian neighbourhood, where the overwhelming majority of the student body had some connection to their ancestors’ homeland. Black students were a very small minority. Given this, the opportunity to profess and practice our faith with expressions that represented our experience would have been a positive contribution to our personal faith formation.
I think there was an idea that Black students like myself who graduated from Catholic schools would go on to pursue post-secondary education. Admittedly, I do believe that most of my Black peers did so. In addition, it could be assumed that after 12 years in such an environment, I would have great insights and understanding regarding my Catholic faith. It is not unreasonable to expect that I would be able to explain the meaning of the Mass and give an explanation of what it means to be Catholic. Moreover, I should also have been able to describe the contributions of the Church’s many saints, including Black ones.
Sadly, though, as a Catholic student, the ability to seriously discuss any insight into Catholic thought, doctrine, or orthopraxy proved both challenging and unlikely. From the beginning of high school, it was clear that the teachers saw religion class as an auxiliary subject. Often, they themselves were not practicing Catholics or knew very little about the faith and could only provide surface answers. Therefore, religion—the Catholic faith—was seen as unnecessary and impractical. Besides, I struggled to see any reflection of myself in religion class throughout my Catholic education.
Therefore, anything of value that I grasped of Catholicism was due to my mother, who was raised with the Baltimore Catechism, a standard of Catholic education prior to the Second Vatican Council. Building on the foundation she laid, it was only with many years and my own willingness to research that I deepened my knowledge of Catholicism. My burning heart for furthering my relationship with Christ also led me to appreciate and learn details that were specific to the Black Catholic experience in the Americas. I became aware of holy people like Venerable Henriette Delille, Venerable Augustus Tolton, St. Josephine Bakhita, and many others.
Ralph Moore
Catholic education, specifically in North America, was once heavily doctrinal and very orthodox in application. There was a time when it was very safe to assume both a high emphasis on academic achievement and a focus on the substance of the Catholic faith. Inevitably, there has been success over the years, and many people did indeed receive a Catholic education through which they came away with a good grasp of the faith. Even so, it is important to highlight that others found this type of education both imperial and overbearing.
One example of the latter was the residential schools in Canada. In the 19th century and onwards, this system had disastrous consequences for Canada’s Indigenous populations. Catholic education became synonymous with becoming “European” or “Canadian.” Tragically, languages and cultures were erased, and even family bonds were broken. This kind of Catholic education is not helpful to advance the faith, nor is it properly evangelistic.
So what is the best identifier of a good Catholic education? What are the actual expectations of graduates in their daily lives once they leave the Catholic school system? In our context, should any emphasis be placed on Black Catholics in the actual curriculum? Are Catholic schools a place of evangelization and growth of the faith, or are students simply reciting vague facts regarding the faith without depth of understanding?
Based on my own experiences, the Church has unfortunately failed to recognize the Black Catholic experience, especially in educational settings. Therefore, for Black students who attend Catholic schools, there can be a disconnect regarding the faith and a soft promotion of the idea that Catholicism is a “European” religion. Black people can feel isolated within the Church, including its schools, and can easily drift away from an institution that does not value their presence or contributions. Their questions are often as follows: How does the Catholic faith help me and change my own life? Where can I find a Catholic community that accepts me for who I am and recognizes the contributions of my people?
Serious faith formation and catechesis should last the entirety of a student's Catholic educational journey. Ideally, Black students would find community within the school, extending and expanding as they continue through life. Catholic schools should be places where all students are on fire for the faith and have the capacity to share this good news with those they encounter. Furthermore, a solid Catholic education should deepen not only the intellect but also the connection of mind and heart.
An example of this can be seen in the life of St. Augustine of Hippo. He was born in North Africa and was by no means involved in the Church during his youth. He received a great deal of education in Rome and spent many years grappling with various ideologies before he found a home within Catholicism. Augustine is a very important figure in the Catholic tradition and his meditations, reflections, and conversion are both groundbreaking and inspiring. His “Confessions” in particular is an excellent resource for students. Detailed study of his life can help bolster a positive presentation of the contribution of Africans in the early Catholic Church. Furthermore, discussing his legacy can help form students' own interior life and their love for Jesus and his Church, which is beneficial for a lifetime.
Today, Catholic schools have developed both policies and core values that may address some of the concerns and insights I am bringing forth. However, we can all see that many Catholic school graduates are incapable of defending the faith and eventually walk away from the Church. I have seen this in my own life among my peers. This exodus has become more and more apparent in the United States, particularly among Black Catholics, who often struggle to find a home in parishes or among fellow believers. Catholic schools need to affirm Christ-centered education that can advance a Gospel that reflects all of God’s people, while giving due consideration to those who have been historically alienated within the Church.
Tamika Royes
Black students who have been the beneficiaries of a Catholic education should approach life and their future in a way that is different from their peers. Black students in Catholic schools should have confidence in the presentation of Black people in the life of the Church. Also, Black students should know the message of the Gospel and take comfort in knowing that Catholicism is not an exclusive religion. I would hope that Black students would be articulate regarding the teachings of the Catholic faith and have a means to reflect on the value of faith and the Church within their own journey.
I believe all Catholic schools should become radically in love with the Gospel and seek conscious faith formation and catechesis. I am confident that this approach can have positive outcomes, such as the capacity to influence and shift society toward the common good. Instead of a continued rise in religious indifferentism, pseudo-Christianity, and practical atheism, we can see a new generation eager to transmit and live the Catholic faith. I understand that being Catholic today is probably more challenging than in previous generations. Black Catholics in particular struggle to find community in the Church, but forming a new reality can begin inside a healthy Catholic school community.
Finally, as Catholics, it is important to acknowledge our failings and also shine a light on the treasure of knowledge and spiritual insights from 2,000 years of Catholic witness. Hopefully, all Catholic schools, with the recognition and involvement of Black people, can come to the fullness of their mission: radically professing the Gospel of Jesus in both word and deed.
Tamika Royes has 15 years of experience in the social services sector in various roles. She has been a tireless advocate for justice causes, beginning in high school. She has earned a graduate diploma in Catholic studies at Assumption University and is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Theology at Regis St. Michael's Faculty of Theology, University of Toronto.
