Black History Month offers an opportunity to delve deeper into the rich heritage of the African American experience. Beyond celebrating a few iconic figures, it invites us to explore the classical traditions that shaped the community, traditions rooted in faith, resilience, and a profound spiritual heritage.
Central to this heritage are the Spirituals, those soul-stirring songs that emerged from the crucible of suffering and hope. Sung a cappella, they stand as a testament to collective strength, resisting the radical individualism that often marks modern performance. The power of the Spirituals lies in their communal nature; they demand harmony, cooperation, and a shared vision. These songs express human paradoxes—joy amid sorrow, freedom amidst bondage—resolving them in the profound encounter between the heavenly and the worldly.
This tradition finds its voice in the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar, Ralph Ellison, and August Wilson in literature. Dunbar navigated the delicate balance between vernacular expression and classical poetic forms, illustrating the dual consciousness that has long defined the African American experience. Ellison and Wilson further explored themes of identity, culture, and resilience, giving voice to the struggles and triumphs of a people whose lives embody the tension between tradition and innovation.
The classical tradition is equally evident in the lives of figures like Fr. Augustus Tolton, Henriette DeLille, Julia Greeley, Pierre Toussaint, Sister Thea Bowman, and Mother Mary Lange. These individuals, deeply rooted in their faith, demonstrated the universality of the Catholic Church while celebrating the distinct cultural expressions of the African diaspora. Their lives were acts of spiritual and cultural bridge-building, uniting diverse traditions under a shared banner of faith and dignity.
Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified this heritage in social and political action. Douglass, though not explicitly religious in his later years, embodied the dignity of enslaved people and used moral suasion to advocate for justice. King elevated the civil rights movement into a moral and spiritual call for the transformation of both the oppressed and the oppressor, drawing from the wellspring of the African American religious tradition.
The performing arts also reflect this legacy. Actors like Sidney Poitier, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Esther Rolle, and John Amos brought classical dramatic skills to their work, while Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson carried forward the Spirituals’ legacy with dignity and grace. Jazz musicians such as Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane drew on this deep reservoir of spiritual and cultural heritage, transforming it into innovative forms of expression. Mingus infused his compositions with the essence of gospel music, Monk relied on precision and intellect, and Coltrane sought transcendence through meditative soundscapes.
This tradition continues today, embodied in places like the choir at St. Benedict the Moor. Expanding this choir to include a broader spectrum of African and African diasporan music will ensure that this classical tradition remains vibrant in our liturgical celebrations.
To truly understand Black History Month, one must appreciate the spiritual and classical heritage at its core. It is this culture and faith, deeply rooted in community, that produced the extraordinary men and women we honor—not only in February but throughout the year. Exploring this tradition is not just an act of remembrance; it’s a step toward embracing the enduring legacy of African American culture.
We have long viewed education as the key to liberation in African American communities. Also, as Catholics, we believe true liberation is found in Jesus Christ. With this in mind, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week alongside the students, teachers, and administrators of St. Benedict the Moor School and other Catholic schools at every level—from elementary to college. As the parish that founded St. Benedict the Moor School, it holds a special place in our hearts. Its unique blend of Catholic identity and African American heritage is its strength.St. Benedict the Moor School provides Catholic and non-Catholic families from the Hill District and the City of Pittsburgh the opportunity to send their children to a learning environment that integrates Christian values with African American culture and traditions. A Catholic education goes beyond preparing students for the workforce—it nurtures the development of the whole person, including physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
Parents and education professionals know Catholic schools for their academic excellence, consistently surpassing national averages. These schools provide a high-quality education grounded in moral values, emphasizing knowledge, character, integrity, and ethical decision-making rooted in the Gospel. Open to students of all faiths and backgrounds, Catholic schools foster a welcoming and respectful environment, working closely with families to support children’s growth and development. Parents, as the primary educators of their children, remain central to the mission of education in Catholic schools.
Looking to the future, we envision St. Benedict the Moor School thriving in the next five years. We envision a growing student body, an upgraded cafeteria that allows meals to be prepared on-site, and a full-scale gymnasium to support physical education and athletics. We also envision an expanded pastoral and spiritual ministry to the school, enriched by the involvement of clergy and lay volunteers. Achieving these goals is possible through collaboration with local supporters and funders. As a parish dedicated to education, we are committed to making this vision a reality.
Thanks to generous support from the Extra Mile Foundation, St. Benedict the Moor School keeps tuition affordable for families in need, ensuring that Catholic education remains accessible. The benefits to families and the community are profound. Few investments compare to the lasting value of providing children with a strong educational foundation and a brighter future. We encourage parents, grandparents, and guardians to visit St. Benedict the Moor and other Catholic schools as an option for the education of the children in their lives.