Juneteenth Resources from CHA
Since its inception, “African American Emancipation Day,” also known as “Juneteenth,” commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on June 19 in 1865, General Granger read General Order Number 3, declaring, “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
This year we pray for celebrations to be joyful and inspire our work to build up the common good. For Catholic health care, our efforts to confront systemic racism across the country come together in our We Are Called work to achieve health equity.
In support of your Juneteenth Celebrations, CHA has several resources available for your use and sharing:
Juneteenth Prayer Service
Juneteenth Prayer
Equity Reflection – It’s In Your Hands, Honoring Fannie Lou Hamer
We Are Called Reflections
Here are some reference resources you might find useful in your commemorations of this important day:
- Smithsonian resources, including social media items starting June 14
- “Why All Americans Should Celebrate Juneteenth”
- “What Is Juneteenth”
If you have not already, please sign on as an individual to the We Are Calledpledge. United, as a ministry, we can achieve health equity by ending systemic racism.