Catholic parishes mark Juneteenth, the ‘second independence day’ for U.S.

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 19, 2025 / 16:33 pm (CNA).

Catholic churches are celebrating the national holiday of Juneteenth this week by honoring the freedom won by formerly enslaved Black Americans at the end of the Civil War.

The National Museum of African American History calls the commemoration of Juneteenth, a federal holiday celebrated on June 19, the nation’s “second independence day.” The holiday marks General Order No. 3 that enforced the Emancipation Proclamation freeing enslaved African Americans in Texas in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were now all free.

Wendi Williams, executive director of cultural diversity and outreach for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., noted many parishes started their Juneteenth celebrations early.

“This past weekend, dozens of parishes celebrated Juneteenth liturgies, as a Sunday Mass, and the various kinds of activities, gatherings, and fellowship that would follow the Mass,” she told CNA.

In Reston, Virginia, St. John Neumann Catholic Church celebrated the holiday on Saturday, June 14, with children’s activities, an interactive story time, a lecture, food, music, and dance. 

“This is our third year having a Juneteenth celebration,” said Elizabeth Wright, communications director for St. John Neumann Catholic Church. “It’s a combination of education and celebration. There’s history around the lunch and the foods we serve, trying to honor Black culture, African American culture, in every way.”

Spencer Crew, a professor of history at George Mason University and former interim director of the Smithsonian African American History Museum, hosted a lecture at the parish titled “Journey to Freedom: A Community Celebration.”

Wright emphasized that in their outreach they invite not just parishioners but the entire community.

North of the nation’s capital, meanwhile, in Sandy Spring, Maryland, multiple Christian denominations came together to host a community event earlier today called “Juneteenth: Freedom, Resilience, and Pursuit of Equality,” which featured music, dance, and the spoken word. 

Among the participating groups were the Africa and Diaspora Ministry of St. Augustine Catholic Church and the Anti-Racism Initiative of St. Camillus Parish. 

Steve Yank, leader of St. Camillus’ Anti-Racism Initiative, referenced a 2018 pastoral letter from the U.S. bishops for inspiration for the Juneteenth event.

“The bishops’ letter, ‘Open Wide Our Hearts,’ makes clear that racist acts are sinful … Sinful because they fail to acknowledge human dignity,” he explained. “In that spirit, the anti-racism initiative of the St. Camillus Justice Peace Integrity of Creation Ministry observes Juneteenth, a day to reflect on the evils of slavery and to celebrate freedom for enslaved Africans in America. It’s part of our charge to recognize life and human dignity as sacred.”

Williams connected the celebration of Juneteenth to synodality, a theme the late Pope Francis promoted. 

“Synodality is walking with people. Synodality is bringing people together. Discussions shape dialogue. Bringing different speakers that are fluent in particular subjects helps the faithful learn from different vantage points,” she said.

“We invite the faithful and the broader community to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans to reflect on the dignity of every human person. [Juneteenth is] a sacred opportunity for us to affirm our shared human dignity while also celebrating the rich heritage of African Americans.”

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/264875/catholic-parishes-mark-juneteenth-the-second-independence-day-for-us