St. Mary’s College of Maryland will hold its annual Sacred Journey on Friday, Nov. 6, honoring the lives of enslaved African Americans who once lived and labored on the grounds where the College stands today. President Rhonda Phillips and Dr. Garrey Dennie, chair of The Sacred Journey Steering Committee will lead this year's observance, “The Sacred Journey: The Beloved Community,” inviting the campus and broader community to reflect on the enduring values of dignity, justice and shared humanity.
“The Sacred Journey reminds us that the history of this place is inseparable from the lives of the people who were enslaved here,” said President Phillips. “As we honor their lives and remember their stories, we also affirm our responsibility to build a community grounded in dignity, justice and respect for every person. The ideal of the Beloved Community calls us not only to remember the past, but to consider how we live and learn together today.”
“The Sacred Journey invites us to remember the individuals whose lives and labor are woven into the history of this place, but whose stories have too often gone untold, said Professor Dennie. "Through the procession, the sharing of their stories and the reading of their names, we honor their humanity and ensure that their experiences remain part of our collective memory. In doing so, we too embrace the spirit of redemption that ennobles all of our lives today.”
The Sacred Journey begins at 4:45 p.m. at the Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland and concludes at approximately 6:15 p.m. at the St. Mary’s River. The program will feature a keynote address by Gwen Bankins, president of the Board of Trustees of Historic Sotterley, remarks by President Phillips and Professor Dennie, and musical performances by St. Mary's Singers and the St. Peter Claver Church Men's Choir. Student Rocksann Smith ‘28 will present a spoken-word performance.
Professor Dennie and President Phillips will lead the Procession of Dignity from the Commemorative to the waterfront. Along the route, participants will pause at the St. John’s Site Museum, where Peter Friesen, director of research and collections at Historic St. Mary’s City, will share the story of Antonio, an enslaved man who was murdered in 1656 after repeatedly attempting to escape bondage. His story serves as a reminder of the resistance of enslaved people and the history of the land on which the College stands.
At the river, the Ceremony of Remembrance will include the reading of the names of enslaved people by St. Mary's College students Abigail Aleman ’30, Madison Fields ’30, Abrielle Hopkins ’27, Aaliyah Kilson-Thomas ’29, and Thomas Martens ’30. A traditional libation ceremony, led by Bankins, will honor the ancestors through a symbolic act of remembrance and respect.
Participants can view the walking route on the online map.
The annual event is organized by the faculty of African and African Diaspora Studies, the Commemoration Committee and the Sacred Journey Organizing Committee.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony at the Commemorative will take place on the upper deck of the James P. Muldoon River Center.
The Sacred Journey is open to the campus and surrounding community. Additional information is available on the Sacred Journey website.
About the Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland
The Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland at St. Mary's College of Maryland is an immersive art installation honoring the lives, resilience and enduring legacy of enslaved people who once lived and labored on the grounds where the College stands today. The installation provides a place for remembrance, reflection and engagement with the history of enslavement in Southern Maryland. Learn more about the Commemorative at https://www.smcm.edu/
