Cardinal William H. Keeler will celebrate a 1 p.m. Mass in honor of the life of Mother Mary Lange on Feb. 8 at Mount Providence Chapel in Arbutus, 701 Gun Road.
Mother Lange was the foundress of the Baltimore-based Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first religious order for African-American women. The Oblates established St. Frances Academy in Baltimore in 1828 to educate the children of slaves and former slaves.
Mother Lange’s canonization cause is now being considered in Rome.
Deacon B. Curtis Turner, principal of St. Frances Academy, will give the homily. Sister Mary Annette Beecham, superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, is expected to make comments along with Josephite Father Donald Fest, Cardinal Keeler and others.
The Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver and the Knights of Columbus will also participate in the celebration, which will conclude with a reception.
“We want to keep Mother Lange’s cause upfront so everyone will know that this woman is a holy woman and through her we can give glory to God for her sanctity and her deeds of love and selflessness,” said Sister Magdala Marie Gilbert, an Oblate Sister of Providence who serves as the newly appointed Mother Lange Guild Director for the Canonization of Mother Mary Lange.
“If we can inspire other people to that, we can continue her legacy and show that this woman was a great evangelizer,” said Sister Magdala Marie.
Leading up to the Feb. 8 celebration, parishes and individuals are invited to take part in a novena from Jan. 25-Feb. 2 commemorating the life and works of Mother Lange.
For more information, call 410-242-6861.