Lecture and Examination: “Slavery and the Early Sulpician Community in Maryland”

In 1791, at the invitation of Bishop John Carroll, members of the Priests of St. Sulpice (known as the Sulpicians) arrived in Baltimore from Paris, France, to establish the first Roman Catholic Seminary in the young United States. They were also fleeing the turmoil and persecution of their Society brought about by the French Revolution.  They began ministering to the black Catholic community (principally Haitian refugees), and made the seminary’s Chapelle Basse (Lower Chapel) a space for them to gather for worship.  At the same time, the Sulpicians were part of the post-colonial culture, and used enslaved labor within the seminary, both as domestic workers and field hands.

Father Ulshafer has extensively researched the Sulpicians’ historical connection to slavery.  He will present the implications of this connection for the Sulpicians’ early survival and success in the United States.

 Saturday, October 12, 2019
2:00 PM
With a light reception following at 3:00 PM

The Upper Chapel of
St. Mary’s historic 1808 Seminary Chapel
600 N. Paca Street
Baltimore, MD  21201

Free Admission.  Seating is Limited! 

Please RSVP at (410) 728-6464 or info@stmaryspacast.org

Parking available on-site or across the street