This was Congress XI. The first five congresses were held between 1889-1894 and were organized by Daniel Rudd. Rudd, the child of slaves from Kentucky, organized the first NBCC with Father Augustus Tolton, the first recognized black priest in the United States, celebrating Mass.

The purpose of the congresses was to offer opportunities for black Catholics to speak for themselves on the issues of evangelization, spirituality, education and the plight of black Americans.

The "modern" congresses have been held every five years beginning in 1987. At one point, delegates who have attended all six of the modern congresses were asked to stand. I am blessed to be one of those people. While each of the congresses was unique and memorable in its own way, one of the things that makes this congress special to me was that my sister was able to attend it with me.

The theme of Congress XI was "Faith Engaged: Empower, Equip, Evangelize." What that theme says to me is that the purpose of this Black Catholic Congress was to help put our faith to work by having the tools and power to share the Lord with others.

In preparation for the event, black Catholics around the nation responded to a survey to determine what were considered to be the major challenges facing them today. Those challenges were addressed through general sessions and various workshops.

In addition to the excellent sessions and workshops, there were exquisite speakers like Immaculee Illibagiza, a beautiful young black Catholic woman who's life was dramatically transformed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide when she and seven other women spent 91 days huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local Protestant pastor.

The workshops were set up on two tracks — an adult track and a youth/young adult track. In recognition that the youth are not only future, but the present of our church as well, it was obvious that a concerted effort had been made to include and accommodate the impressive number of youth and young adults among the more than 2,000 delegates.

Activities included a youth rally and a Gospel concert as well as time set aside for networking, visiting the Congress' vendors and exhibits and soaking up some of the local color of Indianapolis. Many delegates attended Indianapolis' famous Black Expo which was taking place within walking distance of the Congress.

The Springfield diocese featured prominently in the 2012 Congress, being the diocese from which Augustus Tolton was ordained. Tolton overcame insurmountable obstacles to reach ordination. He, his mother and his siblings escaped from slavery through the underground railroad. He served as a priest in Quincy, which was at that time part of the Alton diocese, and the Archdiocese of Chicago. A workshop was presented which updated the progress of the cause for canonization for his declared sainthood.

Of course the highlight for me and many other delegates were the uplifting daily liturgies. The praise and worship were enhanced exponentially by the exquisite music, much of which was written by black Catholic liturgical composers and expertly presented by an exemplary Gospel choir and musicians from various dioceses across the nation.

Having experienced these three enlightening and uplifting days, delegates were energized and ready to take what they learned back home to share in their parishes and dioceses. To help in that endeavor, and so that those unable to attend the congress can get a feel for the experience, videos and CDs from several of the sessions and liturgies are available for purchase.