Watch

Community Thrives at This Historically Black Catholic Parish

Creator:
Published:
March 27, 2024
June 19, 2021
Watch why the mother of black Catholic churches is known for its community.|Watch why the mother of black Catholic churches is known for its community.

St. Augustine Parish in Washington, D.C., has been called the "mother church of black Catholics." But what really makes this parish special is the community that gathers here.

As one parishioner shares, "St. Augustine Parish is definitely a safe place for me — as a black person, as a woman, as a Catholic."

Video Transcript

Washington, D.C.: Saint Augustine Parish, one of the oldest African-American Catholic parishes in the U.S. Founded in 1858, seven years before slavery was abolished.

Woman singing: I love the Lord, He heard my cry, and pitied every groan. Long as I live, and troubles rise, I’ll hasten to His throne.

(Gospel choir music plays in the background.)

Female parishioner: St. Augustine Parish is definitely a safe place for me — as a black person, as a woman, as a Catholic.

Second female parishioner: I actually moved here from the Netherlands, and I was looking for a Catholic church with soul and a real sense of community, and I stumbled upon St. Augustine on the internet when I saw a sign that said “St. Augustine, mother church of black Catholics.” I'm like, "Wow — who are those people?" So I came here, and what kept me here is the community and just how everybody — they're really, truly friends. When they do the sign of peace, they're really coming over, hugging you, shaking your hand, a smile on their face — and that warmth is what has kept me here all these years.

Male parishioner: The first time I was here, I heard prayerful intentions and naming off the names of homeless people in the area. I'd never heard that before, and that resonated to me because, I think, in a world that has all kinds of struggles and difficulties, you want something that's real.

Priest preaching a homily: Be strong in the Lord, be strong in the mission. Because God's still on mission. God is still extending His arms. God is still giving His heart and God is still looking for witnesses who will not be deterred.

Priest: The parish — it's a community in mission. Meaning, it is supposed to be out of focus. It's not a clubhouse — it's more like a lighthouse. Think about it: a lighthouse exists for everything but itself. Hopefully, people see the light and even come and check it out.

(Gospel music)

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 27, 2024
June 19, 2021
On a related note...
How a Daily Journaling Practice Transformed My Lent

How a Daily Journaling Practice Transformed My Lent

Marye Colleen Larme

Community Thrives at This Historically Black Catholic Parish

Community Thrives at This Historically Black Catholic Parish

Grotto

How an Encounter Taught Me to Be Welcoming at Mass

How an Encounter Taught Me to Be Welcoming at Mass

Katie Prejean McGrady

Seeking Beauty with St. Josephine Bakhita | #GrottoMusic

Seeking Beauty with St. Josephine Bakhita | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Telling the Stories of Richmond, Virginia

Telling the Stories of Richmond, Virginia

Grotto

St. Vincent de Paul Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Vincent de Paul Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Blessed Carlo Acutis Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Blessed Carlo Acutis Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

5 Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism

5 Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism

Josie Kuhlman

What It Really Looks Like to Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

What It Really Looks Like to Live an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

Emily Mae Mentock

Ash Wednesday Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Ash Wednesday Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Volunteer Nurse Cares for Isolated Migrant Shepherds

Volunteer Nurse Cares for Isolated Migrant Shepherds

Grotto

How to Host a Dietary-Friendly Dinner Party

How to Host a Dietary-Friendly Dinner Party

Caitlan Rangel

Faith Brings Light to a Dark World

Faith Brings Light to a Dark World

David Fagerberg

Hands-on Hobbies Got Me Out of the House — and Into a Community

Hands-on Hobbies Got Me Out of the House — and Into a Community

Clarissa Aljentera

How Catholicism — and Jurassic Park — Can Inform Our Discussions on Future Tech

How Catholicism — and Jurassic Park — Can Inform Our Discussions on Future Tech

Mike Jordan Laskey

How One Idea Changed the Way I See Service

How One Idea Changed the Way I See Service

Ben Wilson

This 28-Year-Old Shows Us How to Bear Suffering with Hope

This 28-Year-Old Shows Us How to Bear Suffering with Hope

Grace Carroll

Raising Census Awareness in Undercounted Communities

Raising Census Awareness in Undercounted Communities

Grotto

God Sees the Color of My Skin

God Sees the Color of My Skin

Grotto Shares

This Kid Raised $1M for Drought-Affected Farmers

This Kid Raised $1M for Drought-Affected Farmers

Grotto Shares

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.