A Mass commemorating the teachings of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be celebrated this Sunday, Jan. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier College Church. Archbishop Justin Rigali will celebrate the Mass.
“The focus is to celebrate the ideals of [Dr. King],” said Edward R. Martin, Director of the Human Rights Office of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. “The ideals extend beyond racism . there is the commitment to service and the idea of equality to all people. The ideals include the many issues of social justice.”
Martin said that during this jubilee year, such civil rights issues will continue to face society. “Our focus is to come together and look at the opportunity to live out those ideals,” he said.
Martin referred to Pope John Paul II’s challenge to end racism, a message delivered during the Pontiff’s visit to St. Louis in January 1999. Young adults, Martin said, play the same role as all people in meeting the pope’s challenge.
“It is a two-pronged challenge of educating ourselves and advocating what we learn by giving voice to the root of the word and truth in every opportunity during our lives,” Martin said. “Students are in a privileged position to understand and educate others in truth.”
Martin added that service opportunities offered by Saint Louis University to the student community are some examples of how young adults can promote social justice.
“There are so many ways students can show what they’ve learned through how they live,” Martin said.
Founded and established in the early 1960s by Cardinal Joseph Ritter, the Human Rights Office addresses modern civil rights issues.
This year’s commemorative Mass marks the twenty-fourth time that the Human Rights Office has held the celebration.
A choir consisting of representatives from more than 20 Catholic parishes from Warren and Franklin counties, along with a choir representing parishes from north St. Louis, will perform at the commemorative Mass.
Also, younger members of parishes in north St. Louis, south St. Louis, South County and Ballwin will form a youth choir to sing at the Mass.
A reception open to all will be held in the ballroom beneath the College Church following the Mass.