this experience of black catholicism is a “gift to the church”
In the heart of New Orleans is Treme, the first black neighborhood in America and the birthplace of Jazz. Treme is the location of Congo Square. It is also the area where Venerable Henriette Delille, foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family, was raised.
The role of this documentary is to shed light on "one story" of the Black Catholic experience. An experience unknown to many in our church. An experience that, although unique, is relatable to the Black Catholic, specifically African American Catholic, experience throughout America. This film hopes to bring out the joy, pain, and struggles that are faced in the Black Catholic community, specifically in the Treme area of New Orleans. This film also hopes to share the unique struggle found in youth and young adult ministry within the Black Catholic community. Whether through "America's Original Sin", classism, or various other social ills; we are witnessing this unique expression of our Catholic faith disappearing before our eyes.
Through the eyes of Dr. Ansel Augustine, the Psalm 119 Step Team (young adults that have performed with Dr. Augustine), Ms. Pearl Dupart, and Deacon Allen Stevens; we see how this experience of Black Catholicism is a "gift to the church" as Sr. Thea Bowman said to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Our prayer is that this documentary, and what flows from it, will be used as another resource for our communities to address racism within our church and to create bridges of hope and understanding so that we may all be one Body of Christ.
Learn more about St. Peter Claver Catholic Church →
Learn more about St. Augustine Catholic Church →
Venerable Henriette Delille
A descendant of slaves, a native New Orleanian, an evangelizer and a servant of the poor.
Henriette lived a holy life, caring for the slaves, the sick, the orphaned, the aged, the forgotten and the despised.
When canonized, she will become the first U.S. native born African American saint.
Henriette lived her prayer: “I believe in God. I hope in God. I love. I want to live and die for God.”
Mother Henriette founded the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1842
To learn more about and support the cause of Venerable Henriette Delille
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Many of the people featured in the Black Faith Matters Documentary reunited to dive deeper into their life, faith, and what we can do going forward.
