Black Catholic Saints Celebration
Saturday, November 7, 2026 ✦ parade at 10:00 am ✦ prayer service at 11:30 am with reception immediately following✦ New Orleans, LA
The Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Black Saints Celebration brings together the Black Catholic community and members of the broader Church of New Orleans to celebrate Black Catholic History Month. Each year, the celebration highlights and honors an important aspect of Black Catholic culture, history, and heritage.
This year’s celebration focuses on the rich connection between the Indians and the Catholic Church with the theme “Honoring Our Roots, Celebrating Our Faith: Many Tribes, One Spirit!” The day will begin with a community parade at 10 a.m., departing from Brother Martin High School (4401 Elysian Fields Avenue) and proceeding to St. Martin de Porres Church, located at 5621 Elysian Fields Avenue. The celebration will conclude with a prayer service and reception at the church. Archbishop James F. Checchio will preside at the prayer service, with LIM alumnus Ansel Augustine preaching.
This event showcases the Black Catholic community's rich cultural traditions and its gifts and contributions to the Church and invite others to encounter Christ and live out their faith more deeply.
LIM at the Archdiocese of Newark Convocation
Saturday, November 7, 2026 ✦ 8:30 am – 5:00 ✦ Paramus, NJ
LIM Director Tracey Lamont, Ph.D., and Joe and Kelly George Visiting Professor of Pastoral Studies Francisco Castillo, D.Min., will deliver the keynote address at the Archdiocese of Newark Convocation. This year's theme is "We are Church! Forming Disciples for Mission."
A Canizaro Concert of Sacred Music
Sunday, November 8, 2026 ✦ 3 pm ✦Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Ave. ✦ New Orleans, LA
Join us for A Canizaro Concert of Sacred Music, an inspiring evening celebrating the beauty and richness of sacred choral music. The program will feature G.F. Handel’s Coronation Anthems, along with works by J.S. Bach, Johannes Brahms, and Gabriel Fauré, featuring sopranos Rachel Looney and Irini Kyriakidou Hymel.
Generously sponsored by the Canizaro Center for Catholic Studies at Loyola University New Orleans, this concert is free and open to the public. All are warmly invited to attend and enjoy this special afternoon of music!
"Sweet, Sweet, Spirit": The Gift of Black Catholic Liturgy
Thursday, November 12, 2026 ✦ 12–1:30 pm CT ✦ Online
Join LIM alumnus Ansel Augustine and a distinguished panel of guests for a conversation about the importance and richness of Black Catholic expressions within the liturgy.
Drawing on their own experiences, the panelists will explore Servant of God Sr. Thea Bowman’s powerful vision of Black Catholic expression as a “gift” to the Church—not a threat. They will reflect on how these expressions enrich Catholic worship and offer opportunities for the wider Church to encounter the beauty, faith, and cultural wisdom of Black Catholics.
The conversation will also highlight resources and opportunities for learning and engagement, offering practical ways to deepen your understanding of Black Catholic liturgical expression and connect it with your own ministry and worship communities.
This event is co-sponsored by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the Lyke Conference, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee on African American Affairs. This event is free and open to all.
Information Session
December 1, 2026 ✦ Online ✦ 12:00–1:00 pm CT
We invite you to join Dr. Tracey Lamont, Director of the Loyola Institute for Ministry and Associate Professor of Religious Education and Young Adult Ministry, for a live online information session to explore how our programs can support your calling and goals.
You’ll learn more about our fully online B.A. in Ministry and Theology, master’s degrees, and certificate programs—designed to form thoughtful, faithful leaders for today’s world. We’ll also introduce you to our vibrant community of learners and share details about available scholarship opportunities.
Come with your questions and discover what’s possible.
Attend the December 1 Information Session and enroll in a Spring or Summer 2027 course to receive a one-time $500 tuition scholarship for your first semester!
Black Catholics: Footsteps to Sainthood
December 2026 ✦ 7:30 – 8:30 pm CT ✦ Catholic TV
Celebrate Black Catholic History with Black Catholics: Footsteps to Sainthood, a six-part documentary series exploring the lives, faith, and enduring legacies of African American candidates for Catholic sainthood. Hosted by LIM alumnus Dr. Ansel Augustine, an award-winning author and Emmy-nominated producer, the series shines a light on the remarkable stories of faith, perseverance, and service that have helped shape the Catholic Church.
The series premiered on Monday, Nov. 2, on Catholic TV, with a new episode released each month. The premiere episode featured Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first publicly recognized Black Catholic priest in the United States, who escaped slavery and persevered in pursuing his priestly vocation.
Subsequent episodes will spotlight five other inspiring figures:
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Pierre Toussaint, a formerly enslaved man who became a successful New York entrepreneur and philanthropist and is recognized as a pioneering figure in Catholic charitable work.
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Henriette Delille, founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, a religious congregation dedicated to serving the poor and educating free and enslaved people.
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Mother Mary Lange, founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first religious congregation for women of African descent, dedicated to educating young people and caring for orphans.
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Julia Greeley, a formerly enslaved woman known as Denver’s “Angel of Charity,” who devoted herself to helping those in need despite experiencing poverty herself.
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Sister Thea Bowman, a dynamic Franciscan Sister, educator, and evangelist who championed Black culture, music, and spirituality within the modern Catholic Church.
Discover the extraordinary lives and lasting contributions of these inspiring figures and celebrate their enduring impact on the Church.