To trust in God’s plan: Faithful reflect on the annual MLK Memorial Mass at 40
A view of a portrait of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King during the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church on January 18, 2025. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “If you can't fly, then run; if you can't run, then walk; if you can't walk, then crawl; but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
These remarks, made at a speech at Spelman College in 1960, could apply to the diocesan MLK Mass, which was scheduled for Jan. 24 at St. Patrick Cathedral. Bishop Michael Olson was set to celebrate the Mass, with Bishop Joseph Perry, a former auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago and past vice-president of the board of the National Black Catholic Congress delivering the homily.
The 40th annual Mass was postponed due to inclement weather, but Dr. King's sentiments live on in the hearts and minds of the faithful, especially in the modern era.
Drawing from Dr. King's own story and what it teaches us about the importance of faith in our lives, Bishop Michael Olson told the North Texas Catholic that "God is the author of moral law and the judge of our conduct. The distinction among races by God’s design helps us to see the dignity of our human nature, and when faith is received, they are not causes for division or violence."
Prayer and reference to God’s design of human nature is key to effect change in society, Bishop Olson reminds us. Otherwise, the result is alienation, violence, and domination of the weak by the powerful.
Spiritually, the bishop believes that Dr. King truly understood and accepted this concept.
"Martin Luther King Jr. invoked natural law as God-given and having a claim on conscience before and beyond civil law," Bishop Olson said. "His faith in Christ helped others to reflect upon civil laws in light of human nature as created by God."
A persevering faith
Lana and Lorenzo Wilborn have attended the MLK Mass since its inception in 1986. The couple said the service is a memorial to Dr. King and his fight for diversity, inclusion, and equality.
"It is one of many ways the [diocese] can bring people together to keep his dream alive," Lana said. "We attend because we and so many others have benefited from Dr. King’s marches, boycotts, and speeches, which resulted in the passing of the Civil Rights Act ending segregation and the Voting Rights Act, which made it possible for many of us to vote.
"It’s important that we be reminded of these historical events, not only on a daily basis, but especially during the memorial Mass in honor of Dr. King."
Reflecting on the history of the Mass as celebrated in the Diocese of Fort Worth for the last 40 years, Lorenzo said this is a time that people should consider Dr. King's message more than ever.
Lorenzo said, “The divisiveness and man’s inhumanity against man is sad and disheartening. So yes, there are many people in this day and age who would benefit greatly from taking heed of Dr. King’s message, of love, equality, justice, and non-violence.”
Members of Our Mother of Mercy Parish in Fort Worth, the Wilborns believe that faith is the ability to persevere when you are ready to quit and that King's own story personifies faith.
"To me, faith is being able to keep on keeping on when you feel like giving up," Lana said. "You know, God has a plan, and you put your trust in Him. Dr. King had to be disappointed that despite his stance against violence there were those who were going to react violently towards him and what he was fighting for, no matter what.
"He had a family that he loved and that loved him,” she continued. “Yet he put his life on the line every time he marched against inhumane working conditions, low incomes for the disadvantaged, segregated schools and businesses, people being turned away or threatened at voting booths, etc. But he knew this world could be a better place to live in, and he never gave up his fight to make it happen. His life was threatened on many occasions, but he marched on. That took faith."
Messages that resonate
One of the events associated with the MLK Mass is the annual essay contest, in which more than 150 students across the diocese participated this year.
Tim Jacquet, a member of St. Jude Parish in Mansfield, is responsible for reviewing all of the essays and said his major objective for the participants is an understanding that people are different and everyone deserves respect.
“I think it’s awareness that other cultures exist and that things are done differently in different places,” Jacquet said. “I just want young people to understand that there are different people with differences in the way they think and different cultures, and it is nice seeing this evolution over the last 40 years from the 80s to now with how the kids see the world differently.”
To pray for human nature
Bernadine Sullivan of Our Mother of Mercy is a member of the St. Ann Society, the ladies service auxiliary which has managed the liturgical items and décor for the Mass since its inaugural celebration in 1986.
Sullivan said her most memorable moments over the years center around the outstanding visiting religious homilists who, just like Dr. King, have graced the faithful with messages of hope, peace, faith, and determination to make the country and the world a better place.