After three weather-related postponements, the 2024 Mass of Remembrance honoring Venerable Henriette Delille was celebrated Saturday, September 14, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. The Mass was attended by approximately 300 participants included three members of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Louisiana: Sister Theresa Sue Joseph, Sister Carmen Marie Bertrand, and Sister Germaine Henry who shared an update on the Cause for the Canonization of the Venerable Henriette Delille.

The Venerable Henriette Delille, foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family, is one of seven US Catholics of African Descent on the path of canonization in the Roman Catholic Church. The Sisters In the Spirit of Houston are promoting her cause for canonization and annually provide opportunities for the community to gather and learn more about her life and virtues and receive an update on the progress of the Cause from the Delille Commission Office.

The Very Reverend Michael J. Thompson, SSJ, homilist, reminded the congregation that everyone is called to live holy and saintly lives and charged participants to do so daily. Other concelebrating priests included Fr. Reginald Samuels, Vicar for Catholics of African Descent in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston; Fr.  Martin Eke, MSP, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi;  Fr. Martins Emeh, JCL; Fr. Thomas Frank, SSJ; Fr. Felix Agibi, MSP; Fr Henry Osuagwu, MSP; and special guest priest, Fr. Emmanuel C. Anagwo, Professor of Liturgy at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) located in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.  Also in attendance were iconographer Al Sauls of Houston and alumni from some of the schools that had been staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Family. In addition to the to the Sisters in the Spirt of Houston, members of the Sisters of the Holy Family Associates were present.

The Delille Women’s Choir, under the direction of Mr. Matt Matthews and Assisted by Ms. Cynthia Jackson, provided beautiful music for the liturgy, including “Henriette’s Prayer” an original composition by Clark J. Knighten of New Orleans. This composition was commissioned by the Sisters In the Spirit of Houston, Inc. and was performed for the Sisters on the occasion of the 175^th anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of the Holy Family. 

A reception followed the Eucharistic Celebration where a delicious meal was served.  Corlis Taylor-Simmons welcomed attendees and introduced the MCs for the reception, Doris and Stacey Allen Barrow. Having grown up in Opelousas, Louisiana, Mr. Doris Barrow shared a personal history of his connection to Venerable Henriette Delille and the role that intercessory prayers to Mother Delille had played in his life.  In the audience were alumni from the following schools Holy Rosary-Galveston, St. Nicholas-Houston, Holy Rosary-Lafayette, LA; Our Mother of Mercy and St. Philip Neri of Houston.  These former students shared personal expressions of gratitude for the positive impact that the Sisters made on their lives, their communities, and the lives of generations to come. The work that God began in Mother Delille that continued through the Sisters of the Holy Family was evident in these messages.

There were historical display tables that represented Venerable Henriette Delille and the Sisters of the Holy Family. There was also a table displaying history of the Sisters in the Spirit of Houston, Inc., their works and their connection to the Sisters of the Holy Family.  Signed prints of the portrait of Venerable Henriette Delille by artist Al Sauls were available for purchase and Delille merchandise the Commission Office was also available. Personal donations were made to the Sisters of the Holy Family, some in the name of their favorite teacher; all donations will be presented to the Sisters of the Holy Family.

The Mass and Reception were hosted by the Sisters In the Spirit of Houston, Inc., the Office of the Vicar for Catholics of African Descent and the generosity of the Office of Black and Indian Missions.