SAN DIEGO — Juneteenth commemorates the day the last enslaved people were freed in the United States in 1865, more than two years after the nation officially ended slavery.
The diocese will again mark that historic day with a Juneteenth Mass, which Bishop Michael Pham will celebrate on June 21 at 10 a.m. at St. Rita’s Church in San Diego.
The struggles for freedom, justice and opportunity from that era are still relevant today, said Rick Stewart, the chair of the diocese’s African American Catholic community, which organizes the annual Mass. He cited recent changes in government policies and laws affecting immigration, voting and educational access, among other areas.
Beyond celebrating a historic moment, the Mass recognizes the unifying power of faith, he said. Indeed, all members of the Catholic community are invited to attend, he stressed, not just African Americans.
The Mass is occurring as the Catholic Church is encouraging dioceses worldwide to implement synodal practices in their operations at all levels, he noted. These include actively listening to one another and discerning together a path forward.
Stewart said that the Mass is an opportunity for the faithful from all cultures to come together to listen about a milestone in U.S. history and to recognize that African Americans are an integral part of the Church.
“We focus on what brings all of us together,” he said, “the Eucharist.”
