Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, the first African American Cardinal and retiring Archbishop of Washington, D.C., will participate in the Archdiocese of Newark’s Black History Month Jubilee Mass. The event is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, at 2:30 p.m. at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Cardinal Gregory will serve as the guest homilist during the Mass, which will be livestreamed on the Cathedral Basilica's Facebook and YouTube pages.

The liturgy aims to celebrate the Black Catholic experience and tradition with songs, a procession of banners depicting Black candidates for sainthood, and a liturgical dancer performing inside the Cathedral Basilica for the first time. Attendees are encouraged to wear African or Caribbean cultural attire in recognition of their heritage.

Rahsaan Garlin, associate director of the archdiocesan African American, African, and Caribbean Apostolate that organized the Mass, expressed enthusiasm about Cardinal Gregory's participation. "We’re honored to welcome Cardinal Gregory, who has long championed inclusivity," Garlin said. "Cardinal Gregory has shown through his leadership that the Catholic faith transcends ethnicity and color."

Cardinal Gregory recently retired as Archbishop of Washington, D.C., where he served since 2019. His previous roles include Archbishop of Atlanta and Bishop of Belleville, Illinois. Known for advocating social justice and supporting marginalized communities, he was also the first Black bishop president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (U.S.C.C.B.). During his tenure there, he implemented measures addressing clergy abuse.

In conjunction with Cardinal Gregory's visit, an essay contest is being sponsored by the apostolate for juniors and seniors in archdiocesan high schools who are of African American, African, and Caribbean heritage. Students are invited to write about three aspects of the Mass that stood out to them.

"We hope African American, African, and Caribbean young people will find inspiration in Cardinal Gregory’s visit," Garlin stated. "Many may not realize that an African American cardinal exists."

Besides organizing this Jubilee Mass event during Black History Month, other initiatives by the apostolate include a March faith retreat for Black families and an annual Bishop Francis Luncheon in September.

For more information about these activities or details on how they serve Newark’s Black Catholic community through various programs throughout this year can be found on their website at www.rcan.org/aaaca/.