Archdiocese of Newark Hosts Vibrant Black History Month Mass

NEWARK, N.J. – The Archdiocese of Newark marked Black History Month with a lively Mass on February 25 in Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, embracing the national theme “African Americans and the Arts.”

Many faithful joyfully participated in the celebration, singing and dancing as groups representing various Black Catholic organizations led the opening procession. Throughout the Mass, several choirs performed songs of praise in English and African dialects, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (also known as the “Black National Anthem”). Ornate banners depicting Black candidates for sainthood also adorned the steps leading to the altar, and many attendees wore vibrantly colored cultural attire as a tribute to their African and Caribbean heritage.

For the homily, guest celebrant Father Anthony Bozeman, SSJ — a prolific evangelist and priest with the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephite Community) in Washington, D.C. — delivered a stirring message urging Black Catholics to use their artistic gifts for the Church’s benefit. He said all must “be woke” to the opportunities God gives everyone to spread His Word and “take our mess and let Him make a message.”

“If we are truly Catholic and we follow the call of our baptism, then we are called to testify… to show who we are and whose we are,” Father Bozeman said. “We don’t have an excuse. We have a responsibility to share our baptism, to share the Good News, to share God’s love.”

This year’s Mass attracted a number of noteworthy guests, including Auxiliary Bishop Gregory J. Studerus and numerous archdiocesan priests, deacons, and religious. Another notable attendee was Ogoo Anukwu, the great-niece of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, an Igbo Nigerian priest who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998. Anukwu said she was honored to represent her great-uncle, whose banner was on prominent display during the Mass.

“We are so happy, the whole Nigerian and African (populations), because he’s going to be the first Nigerian saint,” Anukwu said. “We’re all looking to pray that this will happen soon.”

The Archdiocese of Newark’s Black History Month Mass was presented by the archdiocesan African American, African, and Caribbean Apostolate, which serves Black Catholics by sharing and strengthening the Catholic faith, encouraging Black youth to embrace faith and their cultural identity, and promoting faith leadership in the Black community. The Apostolate also follows the example of Bishop Joseph Abel Francis, the only Black auxiliary bishop in archdiocesan history, by regularly engaging in community outreach through its scholarship program and many other efforts. To learn more about the Apostolate, visit its webpage at www.rcan.org/aaaca/ or contact Associate Director Rahsaan Garlin at rahsaan.garlin@rcan.org.