Black Catholic Spirituality

Certificate in Contemporary Black Catholic Spirituality

This certificate program focuses on the concerns of Black Catholics and their unique history, traditions, and voice in the universal Church. The first of the next round of courses will start Feb. 5, 2024; Early Registration Discount available until Jan. 19. Details on the certificate are below under General Information.

SUNDAY, January 14, 2024: Rethinking Dr. King's Message on Love, Faith and Truth

To enroll and for information on current courses

Attend a Virtual Open House

To evangelize effectively and prophetically as members of the Catholic Church, we have to build on a deep sense of who we are and how Christ impacts each one of us personally. This program will examine the presence of Black Catholics in the Catholic Church, building leaders to assist in the life of their parishes.

Who Should Participate

This program is open to all, even as it focuses on the concerns of the Black Catholic community. This program is therefore also helpful to those who wish to become allies to assist the Black Catholic community as the community seeks to remain faithful to the Gospel of Christ and to remove the stain of racism in the Catholic Church.

Program Benefits

Upon completion, participants will be better equipped to evangelize disgruntled Black Catholics who attend church, those unchurched, or those with a broken relationship with God.

General Information

Course and program requirements, schedules and tuition are subject to change; and additional fees may be incurred for books and materials. Click here to review all policies prior to enrollment. For additional information, contact the Center at (310) 338-2799 or crs@lmu.edu.

Please note: because this is an online program, enrollment eligibility is dependent on place of residency. Please review these provisions in full before enrolling.

Certificate in Contemporary Black Catholic Spirituality

For the 2023-2024 academic year, LMU will again offer the two online courses that lead to the professional certificate in Contemporary Black Catholic Spirituality; an additional course focusing on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sister Dr. Thea Bowman will also be offered. Scroll down to Program Requirements for more information on earning the certificate.

Our Partner

To make this programming possible, the Center counts on the support of the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization (AACCFE) of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The AACCFE supports the continuing education courses of The Presence of Black Catholics in the Church Today and Tomorrow in the following ways: active promotion of the courses, offering financial support to AACCFE affiliated students who take the courses, and the AACCFE Director serves on the advisory committee for this program.

Living the Gospels with Rev. Dr. King and Sr. Dr. Thea - AAMX 922.01
Feb. 5 - March 18, 2024
$380 - register by Jan. 19 and receive a $40 discount

Black Catholics' Spiritual Call: Using Theological Reflections - AAMX 920.01
Feb. 6 - March 19, 2024
$380 - register by Jan. 19 and receive a $40 discount

$40 Early Registration Discount available (PLEASE NOTE: this discount cannot be applied to the minimum payment of $125).

Financial Aid - LMU Match
Students affiliated with the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization (AACCFE) of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles may be eligible for up to $260 in financial aid per course.

All others should inquire about the 2023-2024 Black Catholic Spirituality LMU Match - LMU will match the support of a parish, institution, diocese or archdiocese, or church group up to $130 per student.

Financial Aid - Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance is a need-based scholarship, and it can cover up to 50% of the cost of a course. Request an application

Forms of financial aid can be combined.
Courses meet live via videoconference.
- All course sessions are 5:00 - 6:00 PM Pacific time
Courses for spring 2024

Living the Gospels with Rev. Dr. King and Dr. Sr. Thea - AAMX 922.02
Mondays: Feb. 5 - March 18, 2024
Guest speakers:
- Sat., Feb. 10: Prof. Cecilia Moore has taught at the University of Dayton since 1996 and at Xavier University of Louisiana in the Institute for Black Catholic Studies since 1998. Her area of specialization is U.S. Catholic history, and she is currently working on the history of black conversion to Roman Catholicism in the 20th century.
- Sat., March 9: Veronica Downs-Dorsey is Director of Music at St. Peter of Claver in New Orleans; she also works with the Institute of Black Catholic Studies.
Black Catholics' Spiritual Call: Using Theological Reflections - AAMX 921.01
Tuesdays: Feb. 6 - March 19, 2024 (no class on Feb. 13; class will be held instead on Thursday, Feb. 15)
Guest speakers:
- Sat., Feb. 17: Fr. Pat Smith is a sought-after speaker, preacher, revivalist, and retreat director for both youth and adults. He currently serves as Pastor of St. Augustine Parish for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. Fr. Smith holds a B.A. and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy.
- Sat., Feb. 24: Sister Marcia Hall was born and raised in New Jersey; Sr. Hall has a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Michigan. As a 25-year jubilarian, she currently serves the community as a member of the Leadership Team and the vocation director, as well as the coordinator of the Motherhouse and Liturgy Coordinator for the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore, Maryland.
Registration is open - click on the Registration tab above
Instructor
- Michael Howard
By Prof. Howard:

Resting in Advent - Week 1
December 3, 2023

Resting in Advent - Week 2
December 10, 2023

Resting in Advent - Week 3
December 17, 2023

Resting in Advent - Week 4
December 24, 2023

Black Catholics "Don't Let the Flame Go Out"
July 25, 2023

Lecturers
- TBD
Required courses for the certificate in Contemporary Black Catholic Spirituality:

AAMX 920 - Black Catholics Sharing their Distinct Gifts of Blackness in the Catholic Church

AAMX 921 - Black Catholics' Spiritual Call: Using Theological Reflections

To qualify for the certificate, students must have an average grade of C+ or better in the two courses.

Additional course

AAMX 922 - Living the Gospels with Dr. King and Dr. Sr. Thea

Reading Materials

For course AAMX 920, all students can download all reading materials and videos online. Dr. Ansel Augustine's book, Leveling the Praying Field - Can the Church we love, love us back?, will be available online through Loyola Marymount University's library.

For course AAMX 921, all students can download all reading materials and videos online. Students must purchase the textbook Black Saints on the Road to Sainthood. You can go to the Catholic Company web page to buy a copy for $9.95.
As noted above, earning a grade of C+ or better in the first two courses listed here (AAMX 920 and 921) makes one eligible to receive the certificate in Contemporary Black Catholic Spirituality; AAMX 922 is an additional course that is open to all.

AAMX 920
Black Catholics Sharing their Distinctive Gift of Blackness in the Catholic Church
2.5 Semester Hours

To evangelize effectively and prophetically as members of the Catholic Church, we have to build on a deep sense of who we are and how Christ impacts each one of us personally. This first course takes a deep look at our identity as Black Catholics. This course will examine the presence of Black Catholics Today and Tomorrow in the Catholic Church, building leaders to assist in the life of their parishes. Provided in this course will be historical documents identifying the struggles of the past, along with materials that speak to the life of Black Catholics today, and guest speakers. Using the oral tradition through Zoom meetings, we will also engage discussion boards, videos, and personal journaling. Participants will encounter a deep awareness of how their gift of Blackness makes the Catholic Church a universal beacon of light.

AAMX 921
Black Catholics' Spiritual Call: Using Theological Reflections
2.5 Semester Hours

The practice of Theological Reflection (TR) is foundational in every Christian’s life. TR is a spiritual movement summoning an individual or group to recognize God’s presence in all occurrences in life. Every day we must respond to God's prompting, similarly to the Psalmist's testimony: "Seven times a day I praise you because your judgments are righteous" (Ps. 119:164). Using TR, this course will examine practical ways that God continues to call Black Catholics to discipleship in the Catholic Church. Provided in this course will be a weekly chart to assist participants in recognizing their own call to ministry, along with that of Bishops, Priests, Nuns, the individuals on the road to Sainthood, guest speakers and other notable leaders in their community. Using the oral tradition through Zoom meetings, we will also engage discussion boards, videos, and personal journaling. Participants will encounter a deep awareness of knowing the importance of their calling as Black Catholics.

AAMX 922
Living the Gospels with Rev. Dr. King and Sr. Dr. Thea
2.5 Semester Hours

This course will analyze several aspects of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s lived faith experience and speeches while simultaneously reflecting on the spirituality and unwavering faith of the Servant of God, Sr. Dr. Thea Bowman. Incorporating videos, reflection papers, Zoom meetings, journaling, discussion board, and the gospels, participants will explore how through the spirituals and storytelling, Dr. King and Sr. Dr. Thea were able to accompany, encourage, and actualize hope for liberation and social justice for the beloved community regardless of culture or faith tradition. These individuals' wise sayings will enhance and inspire our evangelization efforts for today's Church.