Black History Month activities for Catholic families

Here are a few ideas for making Black History Month an opportunity for learning and sharing about our rich Catholic traditions with your family.

Pray together

Use this Black Catholic Rosary via the USCCB. (Link opens a PDF file.) Each set of mysteries has a theme and each decade builds on that theme. There’s a special prayer for each mystery. Praying this rosary is a beautiful way to learn and reflect on Black History.

Learn about Black Catholics

The National Black Catholic Congress has put together a list of noteworthy black Catholics.  Here are just a few saints from this list:

  • St. Anthony the Great of Thebes
  • St. Antonio Vieira
  • St. Augustine
  • St. Benedict the Moor
  • St. Bessarion
  • Sts. Felicitas & Perpetua
  • St. Josephine Bakhita
  • St. Katharine Drexel
  • St. Martin de Porres
  • St. Monica
  • St. Moses, the Black
  • St. Peter Claver
  • Sts. Valentine & Dubatatius
  • St. Victoria

You’ll also find short biographies of Black Catholics here.

Here’s a short video for you to learn more about the people of African descent who are on the path to sainthood:

Have time in the car? What about an audio drama download? St. Luke Productions has a download available that tells the story of Fr. Tolton, who went from slave to priest.

This is a complete audio performance by actor Jim Coleman. It takes you through the experience of Augustus Tolton’s escape from slavery, his struggle to become a priest, his courage in the face of persecution, and his triumph in the face of death.

Want more? Read about the History of African-American Catholics here.