Saint Katharine Drexel Preparatory School (SKDP), the only all-girl Catholic high school in the nation that is privately owned and operated by its alumni, proudly celebrates a historic milestone: the graduation of its largest class in recent years and a transformational donation to help secure the school’s future. This year’s graduating class of 36 young ladies, the Class of 2025, achieved a 100% graduation rate, 99% college acceptance, and collectively earned nearly $6 million in scholarships. These accomplished scholars have been accepted to over 100 colleges and universities across the country, continuing Drexel Prep’s legacy of academic excellence, faith-based leadership, and community impact. Read More

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Simon Peter Engurait to be the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The announcement was made this morning in Rome by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. Bishop Elect Engurait has served as the Diocesan Administrator in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux since January 2024, upon the passing of Bishop Mario Dorsonville. He previously served as the Vicar General since 2017 and has also served as the pastor of St. Bridget Parish since that time as well. “I did not expect this—I am humbled beyond words that the Holy Father has chosen me, not from outside, but from among the ranks of the priests of this beloved Diocese,” said Bishop Elect Engurait. Read More

BlackCatholicMessenger.com: New Jersey native and former university administrator has been a member of the Oblates, the nation's oldest Black Catholic order, since 1998. Read More

A local chapter of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary, the oldest Black Catholic lay-led organization in existence, was reinstated May 17 at Rochester’s Immaculate Conception/St. Bridget’s Church. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano celebrated the Mass, during which 10 knights and 12 ladies were inducted to the Knights’ Council and Ladies Auxiliary Court 106. Rochester was host to the Knights’ Council and Ladies Auxiliary Court for many years, until the council and court disbanded several decades ago. Read More

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Saturday was full of celebration for many local Catholics as they reinstated the local unit of the Knights of Peter Claver Council & Ladies Auxiliary Court. This comes after a decades-long hiatus during which it was inactive. Deputy Marvin Bardo, who oversees the northern states district of the national organization, shared his excitement for the newly introduced chapter. “To bring this organization back to the City of Rochester is a win-win, not only for the people of the Archdiocese of Rochester, but for the Knights of Peter Claver as a whole,” Bardo said. Read More

Bro. Jari Honora, New Orleans, LA - New York Times: Robert Francis Prevost, the Chicago-born cardinal selected on Thursday as the new pope, is descended from Creole people of color from New Orleans. The pope’s maternal grandparents, both of whom are described as Black or mulatto in various historical records, lived in the city’s Seventh Ward, an area that is traditionally Catholic and a melting pot of people with African, Caribbean and European roots. The grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, eventually moved to Chicago in the early 20th century and had a daughter: Mildred Martinez, the pope’s mother. The discovery means that Leo XIV, as the pope will be known, is not only breaking ground as the first U.S.-born pontiff. He also comes from a family that reflects the many threads that make up the complicated and rich fabric of the American story. Read More

By Vatican News The Holy See released a declaration on Wednesday in which the Cardinals preparing for the upcoming conclave ask the faithful to pray for them. “The College of Cardinals gathered in Rome, engaged in the General Congregations in preparation for the Conclave, wishes to invite the People of God to live this ecclesial moment as an event of grace and spiritual discernment, listening to the will of God,” read the statement. The Cardinals said they feel “the need to be supported by the prayers of all the faithful,” since they are aware of their responsibility in choosing the next Successor of Peter. Prayer, they added, “is the true force that in the Church promotes the unity of all the members of the one Body of Christ.” Read More

www.BlackCatholicMessenger.com: VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ funeral Saturday in St. Peter’s Square was expectedly international in character, featuring the new-look College of Cardinals and more than 400,000 mourners from around the world. Among the lay participants in the liturgy was a Black American in 28-year-old Kielce Gussie, an employee with Vatican News. Read More