Brooklyn Jesuit Prep
Faith is an essential part of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep’s identity as a school and its programming. BJP requested funds from the Black and Indian Mission Fund to help us better represent our student body in our Catholic faith. We want to dive into the rich traditions of Black and Brown Catholicism, and by so doing help evangelize our students and help them deepen their own faith. This spring, BJP purchased and hung several religious pieces of artwork. The portraits of four Holy Black Women: Sr. Thea Bowman, Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, Mother Anna Bates, and Sr. Antona Ebo, adorn the walls of our third floor hallway. Additionally, we installed crucifixes throughout the schools with the likeness of a Black Christ. At our Building Dedication Ceremony in June, we hired musicians to perform several hymns from the Black Catholic tradition, including “Let it Rise,” “If I can Help Somebody,” “Taste and See,” Every Praise,” and the secular “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This was the first time we were able to properly worship with music, and it made an enormous difference. “When we can sing together, it just makes such a difference,” said Fr. Mario Powell, S.J., BJP’s president and frequent celebrant. “It enlivens our liturgy.”
We’re excited to continue these practices and reinvigorate worship at our school. This fall, BJP is planning to begin its weekly community masses. The first half of our grant from the Black and Indian Mission Fund will continue our efforts to better represent our students in these liturgies. We’re excited to launch our new #BlackCatholicHistory theme for the coming year: Black Liturgical Music. In the spring, BJP students will begin taking their music classes, and the funds from our grant will help us highlight Black Liturgical Music that we can then perform in mass. “For centuries, Christians have imbued their faith with their identity and their heritage,” said BJP Principal Russell Quiñones. “As an educator and as an administrator at a Catholic school, I think it’s essential that we give our students the same opportunity.”
We’re extremely grateful to the Black and Indian Mission Fund for its generous support of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep. We share a common cause with its mission, and we’re proud of our relationship. If you would ever like to deepen our organizations’ relationship, please don’t hesitate to contact me at milea@brooklynjesuit.org.
