Our Lady of Lourdes Parish will once again host its annual Black History Month/African Heritage Mass, a celebration of African, Caribbean and Afro-Canadian culture within the Archdiocese of Toronto. 

Taking place Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m., the Eucharistic celebration calls the faithful to join the African, Caribbean and Afro-Canadian Catholic Ministry under this year’s theme: Standing Firm in Faith a reflection of Black strength and hope.

Sylvia Masiye is a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes and member of the Afro-Canadian Catholic Ministry. She says the event has fluctuated in style over the years while the Mass remains a staple offering of the downtown Toronto parish. 

“The Black History Mass has changed quite a bit. It used to have more of a Caribbean feel to it but with so many African-Catholic groups growing over the last few years, we have been able to spotlight certain groups,” she said. 

Whether Ethiopian, Ugandan or Swahili Catholic communities, the Mass at Lourdes has taken different approaches over the years to showcase each group’s unique and historical culture. 

Masiye said the Cameroonian community will be highlighted throughout this year’s service. 

“It is, and always has been, about trying to give (each nation’s) flavour and show all the different iterations of what it means to be Black in Canada and even in Toronto,” she said. 

Each year, the ministry looks to Canada’s national Black History Month theme, as well as prominent influences within the Catholic Church and its Toronto community, for inspiration. As this year marks the Jubilee, elements of African-Catholic’s role in being “Pilgrims of Hope” will also be underscored. 

At the national level, Canada’s theme for 2025 is “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations,” an element that will strongly influence the Toronto service. 

“One of the things the community has said is that we should try and get more young people involved in these celebrations because quite often they are born in Canada and might have no working knowledge of their parent’s home country,” Masiye said. “This year’s celebration, we want to try and amplify, or at least encourage, youth participation. All petition prayers will be read by our youth.” 

As in past Black History Masses, traditional or cultural attire is encouraged. The Cameroonian Catholic choir will be leading the liturgy’s music while parishioners lead a special offertory dance at the beginning of Mass. 

While Masiye has since moved to Vancouver, she expressed her hope that this year’s Black History Month/African Heritage Mass at her home parish will continue to spotlight Catholic communities from all over the province as it has for many years before. 

“We have gone beyond being just an event at Lourdes, we have people coming from all over the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton and beyond to celebrate this Mass with our community who support us. The numbers each year have been steadily going up since COVID and the feedback we have received over the years is always really encouraging.”