Bishop Burbidge challenges Catholics in Mass honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

January 16, 2024 by Jim Hale | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

During the Mass in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 14 at St. John Neumann Church in Reston, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge posed the same question that Jesus asked his disciples. Quoting the Gospel reading from John 1:38, Bishop Burbidge asked, “ ‘What are you looking for?’ No doubt, we are certainly looking for the eradication of every form of prejudice, bigotry and racism, for as Dr. King states: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ As hard as it is to acknowledge, racism and bigotry remain present even in our country, communities, and beyond. Sadly, some of our own brothers and sisters here present today can testify to that reality. I am so grateful to the members of the Diocesan Racism Council for the guidance and wisdom they are offering me so that we, with God’s grace, can do our part as a diocesan family to end the horrific sin of racism.”

Celebrating Black Catholics

November 8, 2022 by Kevin Schweers | Catholic Herald Executive Editor of Content

A Haitian slave who became a wealthy New York City hairdresser and Catholic philanthropist. The foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, a congregation of African American religious women, nearly 200 years ago. The first U.S. Catholic priest known to be Black.

Arlington bishop: ‘Reflect on faithful witness’ during Black Catholic History Month

In this Catholic News Agency article, Bishop Burbidge discusses the importance of Black Catholic History.

Pictured: Sister Thea Bowman (Courtesy of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration) and Venerable Augustus Tolton | Credit: New York Public Library

Advisory Council on Racism

Bishop Burbidge announced the decision to form an Advisory Council on Racism at the Requiem for the Black Children of God, a prayer service held in early August, to be comprised of Black Catholic leaders, including clergy, lay men and lay women. Candidates were considered after receiving recommendations from pastors, The Office of Multicultural Ministries, and other ministry leaders.

Mother Mary Lange’s Cause for Sainthood Moves Forward, Archbishop Lori Says

Vatican officials are moving ahead with the cause for sainthood for Mother Mary Lange, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori said Thursday in Rome. If canonized, Mother Lange, the founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, would be become the first black American saint.

Fr. Tolton Advances Toward Sainthood

Fr. Augustus Tolton, former African American slave, advances toward sainthood”, in the description section, put Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtue of Fr. Tolton June 12 making him “venerable” within the Church, only two steps away from canonization. With the decree, Catholics are now authorized to pray directly to Tolton as an intercessor before God.

Prayer for the Beatification of Mother Mary Lange

Prayer for Peace in Our Communities

Written by Therese Wilson-Favors

Let us pray... O Lord our God, in your mercy and kindness, no thought of ours is left unnoticed, no desire or concern ignored. You have proven that blessings abound when we fall on our knees in prayer, and so we turn to you in our hour of need. Surrounded by violence and cries for justice, we hear your voice telling us what is required... "Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Mi 6:8). Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others. Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism so that we may seek peace and justice in our communities. Strengthen our hearts so that they beat only to the rhythm of your holy will. Flood our path with your light as we walk humbly toward a future filled with encounter and unity. Be with us, O Lord, in our efforts, for only by the prompting of your grace can we progress toward virtue. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Multicultural Mass Information

Discover when and where to attend a Mass in a different language or with a specific culture. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington offers multiple, regular Masses for the following communities: Brazilian, Cameroon, Deaf Ministry, Eritrean (Ge'ez Rite), Filipino, Irish (Gaelic), Ghanaian, Indian Syro-Malabar Rite, Indian (Tamil), Korean, Sierra Leone and Vietnamese.