Education has long served as the pathway to liberation in African American communities. As Catholics, we believe true liberation is found in Jesus Christ, and Catholic education has played a crucial role in the lives of most of the six African American candidates for sainthood. 

Saints Who Championed Education
 
Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange encountered a stark reality: African American children were deprived of education and languishing in societal neglect. She opened a school in her home, providing free education to black children in Baltimore—a radical act of defiance and compassion that laid the groundwork for a revolution in African American education.
 
Henriette DeLille founded the Sisters of the Holy Family, dedicating themselves to serving New Orleans' African American community through schools, care for the elderly and infirm, and homes for orphans.
 
Sister Thea Bowman bridged racial and cultural divides through education, music, and the spoken word. She earned a Ph.D. in English literature and advocated for inclusive curricula that reflected the diverse heritage of our Catholic faith and American society.
 
Our Mission Today
 
As a personal parish dedicated to the inculturation and evangelization of the African American community, we have both a particular interest and moral obligation regarding Catholic education for African American students. This stems not from any desire to proselytize, but from our conviction that their God-given dignity demands our complete commitment to their flourishing. To educate a child is to serve the family. To serve the family is to uphold human dignity. To affirm human dignity is to advance the Gospel itself.
 
Our Parish’s Stake in Catholic Education
 
Throughout nearly 150 years of transformation, education has remained constant in our parish story. From our earliest days, St. Benedict operated a parish school, understanding that faith and learning walk hand in hand. Today, St. Benedict the Moor School continues serving the Hill District under diocesan administration, welcoming a predominantly non-Catholic student body while maintaining its strong Catholic identity.
 
This unique blend of Catholic identity and African American heritage is our strength. The school provides families from the City of Pittsburgh and beyond with the opportunity to send their children to a learning environment that integrates Christian values with African American culture and traditions. Catholic education, from pre-school to graduate school, goes beyond workforce preparation—it nurtures the whole person through physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
 
Excellence and Accessibility
 
Catholic elementary, middle, and high schools are renowned for academic excellence, consistently surpassing national averages while providing quality education grounded in moral values. They emphasize knowledge, character, integrity, and ethical decision-making rooted in the Gospel. Open to students of all faiths and backgrounds, these schools foster welcoming, respectful environments that work closely with families.
 
Thanks to generous financial support from the Extra Mile Foundation, St. Benedict the Moor School keeps tuition affordable for families in need, ensuring Catholic education remains accessible. Few investments compare to providing children with a strong educational foundation and a brighter future.
 
Our Vision Going Forward
 
We envision St. Benedict the Moor School thriving in the coming years with a growing student body, an upgraded cafeteria for on-site meal preparation, and a full gymnasium supporting physical education and athletics. We also envision expanded pastoral and spiritual ministry enriched by clergy and lay volunteer involvement. We envision our high schools embracing evangelization through inculturation to deepen and broaden non-Catholic students’ experiences of the Catholic Church.
 
Take Action
 
Love without action remains incomplete. True love incarnates itself in thoughtful curricula, consistent discipline, genuine care, and deep cultural understanding. We encourage parents, grandparents, and guardians to visit St. Benedict the Moor and other Catholic schools as educational options for the children in your lives.
 
As a parish dedicated to education, we are committed to making this vision a reality through collaboration with our schools and local funders. Together, we can continue this ministry of liberation and love.

Fr. Matthew Hawkins