Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project

We are committed to a transformative process of truth-telling, reconciliation, and healing in conversation with descendants of those enslaved by the Jesuits.

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

No one can reconcile the evil of slaveholding with the Church's teaching or our Jesuit values, but they are an undeniable part of our history. We are called now to an intentional response: one that foregrounds the lived experiences of enslaved people. https://t.co/aVBKUm46Ym

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

It will take all of us to continue the work Jonathan began, and his vision will continue to guide us. His legacy will thrive in the relationships he built and the work we continue to do. He would have it no other way.

[Jesuit News @jesuitnews]

A tribute to Dr. Jonathan Smith, VP for Diversity and Community Engagement at @SLU_Official and a founder and co-director of the Slavery, History, Memory, and Reconciliation Project, who passed away on Juneteenth, written by his @SHMRJesuits colleagues.
https://t.co/Shp8sxTIAq

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

We mourn the loss of our beloved colleague and friend, Jonathan Smith, who passed away on Juneteenth. Among his many commitments to making the world a better place, Jonathan was a founder and co-director of the SHMR Project. https://t.co/nm9nUpnSPq

[Fresh Air @nprfreshair]

"My grandfather's grandfather was enslaved," writer Clint Smith says. "We are taught that the history of slavery is something that happened almost like when there were dinosaurs," @ClintSmithIII says. But this history wasn't long ago at all. https://t.co/jh7RZIBC9o

[The New York Times @nytimes]

A century ago, a prosperous Black neighborhood perished in the Tulsa Race Massacre at the hands of a white mob. Hundreds were killed. Buildings burned. Years of Black success were erased.

We recreated the neighborhood in 3D to show what was lost. https://t.co/WapNTamw0K

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

Good news: @SLU_Official announces it will recognize #Juneteenth as a University holiday.

"May we all work to bring about a future where the stories of all — enslaved and free — who labored to build our community can be told and celebrated."

https://t.co/VpWQPeKhyJ

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

Congratulations to our Research Coordinator, Kelly Schmidt!

[Kelly L. Schmidt @CyberspaceClio]

Thrilled to say I successfully defended my dissertation yesterday! It’s been an honor to learn the stories of people enslaved to the Jesuits, their resilient faith & perseverance in pursuing freedom. I hope we can keep working toward greater accountability to their descendants.

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

You can join @GUcstpubliclife for a discussion with leaders from Georgetown, the Jesuits, & @gu_272 on April 29. This is event is open to everyone and an opportunity to learn more & ask questions about the new Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation. https://t.co/pOpRymroyi

[Ignatian Solidarity @IGsolidarityNET]

In May, join us as we dive into the topics of race, racism, and faith through the lens of Ignatian spirituality with Danielle Harrison, co-director of the @SHMRJesuits

Learn more and register: https://t.co/9slNmKwYIC

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

Alison McCann writes about encountering records on the lives of her ancestors who were once enslaved to the Jesuits.

"How will this information affect me? How do memory and silence affect family genealogy? How do I make sense of these fragmented pieces?"
https://t.co/8KK2FIz5Fd

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

You can now view our March e-newsletter. Winnie Sullivan, a parishioner of @CollegeChrchSTL, shares some of her research on the Igbo ancestry of civil rights leader, Sister Mary Antona Ebo.

Read more here: https://t.co/4403TEOgTu

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

You can now view our March e-newsletter. Winnie Sullivan, a parishioner of @CollegeChrchSTL, shares some of her research on the Igbo ancestry of civil rights leader, Sister Mary Antona Ebo.

Read more here: https://t.co/4403TEOgTu

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

You can learn more about Sister Cora's life through this interview with @BlkNunHistorian. https://t.co/WIz7Fvh4iH

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

Sr. Cora Marie Billings: "I have freely given my life to service through the Sisters of Mercy. My great-grandfather, on the other hand, had no choice regarding his service. He worked as a slave, owned by the Society of Jesus." #NationalCatholicSistersWeek
https://t.co/aRqsA7EuPM

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

In 1991, she became the first Black sister to lead a Catholic parish: "I had a double challenge in this situation: I was a woman in the Catholic Church, and I was a black woman leader in the South."

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

In her 1972 book, "A Black Nun Looks at Black Power," Sister Mary Roger Thibodeaux, SBS wrote:

"Only insofar as Blacks have access to America will America have access to God."

#NationalCatholicSistersWeek

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

You can read more about Sr. Adeline’s ancestors, Ignatius and Sally Gough and their daughter Adeline Gough Gardiner here: https://t.co/aDTNUzYLh2

This research compiled by Erin Brown, Kelly Schmidt, @CyberspaceClio and Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ @billymenorsj.

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

Sr. Adeline Gardiner was a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans. She was the daughter of Adeline Gough Gardiner and granddaughter to Ignatius and Sally Gough, who were enslaved to the Jesuits in Grand Coteau, LA. #NationalCatholicSistersWeek

[Slavery, History, Memory, & Reconciliation Project @SHMRJesuits]

Amidst great adversity, the Sisters of the Holy Family established schools, hospitals, and orphanages for Black children and elderly people. Their mission continues today. You can read more about their history and contemporary work here: https://t.co/UGaZyZ5bvL