Archdiocese of Chicago Hosts 47th Annual African American Heritage Prayer Service
Chicago (Feb. 20, 2025) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will host its 47th annual African American Heritage Prayer Service on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St. (between State and Superior) in Chicago. Reverend Thulani Magwaza, pastor at St. Sabina Parish, Greg Richmond, superintendent of Catholic Schools, and archdiocesan priests and deacons will join hundreds of students from across the archdiocese for this Black History Month celebration. In addition, the Archdiocese will welcome Esther Debrah as a special guest speaker. Debrah is a graduate of Loyola Academy in Wilmette and the recipient of the 2024 student leadership award.
The prayer service brings together students, educators and clergy from Catholic elementary and high schools to honor the rich history of Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago. More than 100 student leaders will participate in the service and celebrate their shared heritage through sign language, spoken word, drumming, song, scripture, and praise dance.
The theme of the prayer service this year is: We Are Called to Hope, Love, and Action. The event will celebrate the lives and service of six U.S. Black Catholics who are on the road to sainthood; Venerable Augustus Tolton, Venerable Henriette Delille, Venerable Mother Mary Lange, Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman and Julia Greeley. They were trailblazers for peace, justice, equality and freedom in the United States. Additionally, they were committed to the work of Catholic education.
At the prayer service, African American Heritage Awards will be presented to Sister Ilse Aguilar Castillo of Immaculate Conception School in South Chicago (religious leader) and Mr. Tyrone Pittman of St. Ethelreda School, Our Lady of Africa and St. Josephine Bakhita Parishes (community leader). Educator leadership awards will be presented to Ms. Diane Asbury of St. Philip Neri School and Ms. Shantá Wheeler of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. Student awards will be presented to Asia Anderson of Academy of St. Sabina and Christian Clay of St. Walter-St. Benedict School.
Melissa Link, director of Catholic Mission and Culture for the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools shared, “Our schools have a long and distinguished history of celebrating the contributions of the diverse populations that make up our Church family. We are excited to join in prayer this month to uplift and affirm the gifts all of us bring to our Catholic community.”
