There were no Parthians, Medes and Elamites in the congregation. However, on Saturday, June 4, the day before Pentecost, nearly 200 people “born in Africa, descendants of Africans, or loved Africa so much that they came to celebrate together in unity,” in the words of Father Tochi Iwuji, gathered at Holy Rosary Church, Richmond, for an African Mass at which he was the principal celebrant and homilist.
Colorful flags representing all the African countries adorned the church while worshippers dressed in brightly patterned African clothing spoke languages from the countries of their birth. The International Choir from Christ the King sang vibrant, melodic songs in English, French, Lingala (Congo), and Ewe (Togo).
During his homily, Father Iwuji, administrator of St. Theresa, Farmville; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Blackstone; and Sacred Heart, Meherrin, told the congregation “that unity is not the same as uniformity. We are to come together with all of our diversity to unite in solidarity as we celebrate the Eucharist and become one with Christ. Christ has given us a living example in the flesh of how to unite and bring light to others. Do something good. Bring friendship. See people as people. That is exactly what Christ does for us at the Eucharist. We become unified and we become one.”
Concelebrating with Father Iwuji was Father Joe Wamala, pastor of Christ the King, Norfolk. They were assisted by Deacon Frank Nelson from Holy Rosary. Other clergy participating in the celebration were Fathers Jay Wagner, John Bosco Walugembe, John Kazibwe, Ernest Bulinda, Paul Kkonde, Henry Ogu and Maxwell Appiagyei. Bishop Barry C. Knestout was unable to attend due to illness.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the unity of the Church, the universality of the Church,” said Sister of Mercy Cora Billings. “It was great to celebrate with people who are coming from a continent of my ancestors.”
Father Walugembe saw it as an “opportunity to come together to show the oneness of the Church,” adding, “It was a great joy to meet friends from Africa and to experience the beautiful liturgy and singing.”
Emily Filippi, director of the Diocese of Richmond’s Office of Christian Formation, likened the celebration to “a spiritual retreat.”
“It was a powerful homily about the Eucharist being the source of life and the call to loving the diversity of others,” she said.
For Mary Odindo, a member of St. Elizabeth, Richmond, this was the first African Mass involving other Africans from the diocese.
“We need to spread the word for others to come join us next time,” she said.
Near the end of Mass, Father Iwuji reminded the congregation of the legacy of the late Deacon Charles Williams who passed away on Jan. 27, 2022. As head of the diocese’s Office for Black Catholics, he had planned for a celebration of an African Mass in 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID pandemic.
“We all miss the spirit of Deacon Charles, and he would have been proud to be here today,” Father Iwuji said.