Youth today, especially Black youth, “desperately need” the guidance and living example of solid role models, Cardinal Wilton Gregory said in a Nov. 4 homily at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Southeast Washington at a Mass commemorating Black Catholic History Month.
“I am not speaking of another long list of sports figures, movie, or recording artists,” Cardinal Gregory said. “I am not even speaking simply of public religious models, like priests, sisters, deacons or even bishops.” The cardinal said young people have a serious need for men and women of faith and integrity, including fathers, mothers and grandparents, to offer “those life lessons that so many young people seem to have forgotten – or perhaps never even actually learned.”
The cardinal’s homily fed off the Gospel reading from Matthew 23:1-12 for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, which includes Jesus’ admonition, “Call no one on earth your father.” “Today’s Gospel passage reminds us that a title, any religious title, is less important than the example of the one who may carry it in public,” he said.
“Jesus was particularly stern in demanding that people in leadership not only possess the trappings of position, but we must also live in such a way that is consistent with our authority. He was not merely speaking about Jewish leadership two millennia ago. Jesus speaks to all of his disciples in each age and in every land,” the cardinal said.
Cardinal Gregory continued, “His stern warning is not limited to the example of Scribes and Pharisees of first-century Palestine,” but to all who may be tempted to Pharisee-like behavior today.
There is a “dearth” of role models, “especially for young African American people who have too many social obstacles to overcome,” he added. “It is a sad commentary on our society when vulgar rap artists, violent domestic abusers, drug-addicted sports figures, corrupt politicians, and our own clergy accused of scandalous behavior are the public figures that have so captured public attention.”
“It’s sadder still,” he added, “to think that some of our young people are tempted to believe that such conduct ought to be emulated.”
The Church’s future is “found in a unique fashion in the lives of these vulnerable young people. We, who are the authorities and the adults in their world, must hear in the words of Scripture today the challenge of Christ himself to accept the responsibilities that belong to those who enjoy title and authority,” Cardinal Gregory said. “The sharpness of his admonition must not be lost on us living so far removed from that moment and the place where he first announced it.”
With November being Black Catholic History Month, the church displayed portraits of six Black Catholics whose sainthood causes are being advanced and could serve as exemplars. Collectively known as the “Holy Six,” they are, in alphabetical order:
Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, a dynamic 20th century Catholic evangelist and educator from Mississippi who was a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration .
Venerable Henriette Delille, foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans.
Servant of God Julia Greeley, a laywoman born into slavery who joined the Catholic Church as an adult and who was known as Denver’s “Angel of Mercy” for her charitable works.
Venerable Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first and oldest order of Black women religious in the United States.
Venerable Augustus Tolton, the first priest known to be Black upon his priestly ordination in 1886. The priest, who served in Chicago, was also born into slavery.
Venerable Pierre Toussaint, born into slavery in Haiti, came to New York City, gained his freedom, founded one of the city’s first orphanages and raised money to build its cathedral.
At the start of the Mass – which was sponsored and organized by the office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington in collaboration with Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish – Cardinal Gregory said he remembered his first visit to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, about six months after he was installed as Washington’s new archbishop in 2019. “It was Black Catholic History Month” then as well,” he said, adding, “And then COVID hit. We had to postpone these wonderful gatherings until it was safe to be together again.”
This year, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, which was founded in 1948, has been celebrating its 75th anniversary. In June, the parish held a prayer breakfast honoring its senior parishioners who are 75 years old and older.
Following the Mass for Black Catholic History Month, a reception was held in Cremona Hall below the church. But before it began, Cardinal Gregory had another reminiscence.
“I remember the last time I was here, I blessed this room,” he said. But the kitchen behind the hall had not yet been completed. But with final touch-ups having been made earlier this year, it was now ready for its own blessing.
“Father Zygmunt (Kurzawinski, the pastor) is so proud of this kitchen,” the cardinal joked, ‘he may even bring a bed down here.” Cardinal Gregory strode into the kitchen, and with some well-placed shakes of holy water blessed it.
