Second Annual FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES Prayer Service and Maafa Procession

You are invited to join the Archdiocese of St. Louis led by Archbishop Rozanski as we remember those who suffered during the forced transport of over 12 million enslaved Africans to the Americas and commemorate the approximately 2 million lives lost during the "Middle Passage" of the Atlantic slave trade.

In 1995, Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood of Brooklyn began the first Maafa Commemoration in the United States to "express the grief of the catastrophe that befell his ancestors and the horrific journey of millions of black people from freedom in Africa to bondage in the New World".

When: June 17th, 9am

Where: The Old Cathedral, 209 Walnut Street, St. Louis, MO 63102

What: This year's event will begin at the Old Cathedral at 9am with a prayer service and continue with a remembering ceremony at the south pond of The Arch grounds followed by a 1-mile procession to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church where a meal and fellowship will be shared.

To take part in the procession as a parish or information about carpooling contact Tom Sanger at sanger.thomas7@gmail.com .