In this work, Maurice J. Nutt offers a comprehensive treatment of preaching in the Black Catholic tradition, drawing on African American spirituality and culture, the role of preaching, how to construct a sermon in the Black style, and the connection between preaching and evangelization among African Americans. “Maurice Nutt is a master preacher, and it shows. This gem of a book is not only timely but necessary for every preacher, student of preaching, and libraries at schools of theology.” ― Eddie De León, CMF, assistant professor of pastoral ministry and preaching, Catholic Theological Union “The Black Catholic preaching voice is part of America’s DNA. Maurice Nutt makes it plain―the Holy Spirit impels us to hear this story and to preach and evangelize from this deeply Catholic, proudly American source of Gospel and cultural authenticity. This book deserves our attention!”― Gregory Heille, OP, professor of preaching and evangelization, Aquinas Institute of Theology. “Maurice Nutt has created a preaching masterpiece for the Roman Catholic Church. In speaking specifically about the Black Preaching Style, he has provided the Church with a prophetic word to awaken people from the numbness of despair to the vitality of joy in hope.”― timone a davis, DMin, assistant professor of pastoral theology, Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University, Chicago “For ordained and lay homilists alike, Father Maurice J. Nutt, has given the Roman Catholic Church and her Protestant siblings a pioneering must-read. Here’s a work whose time has come, and we who preach God’s Word can now say, enthusiastically, Hallelujah and Amen!”― Kenyatta R. Gilbert, PhD, professor of homiletics, Howard University School of Divinity RELIGION / Christianity / Catholic RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Preaching SOCIAL SCIENCE / African American & Black Studies DOWN DEEP IN MY SOUL An African American Catholic Theology of Preaching Rev. Maurice J. Nutt, C.Ss.R. Foreword by Diana Hayes ORBIS LOGO ISBN 978-1-62698-494-3 Cover art: Bernard Hoyes Cover design: Wilma Sheenan Rev. Maurice J. Nutt is a Redemptorist missionary priest, who received a doctorate in preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology. He has served as director, The Institute for Black Catholic Studies, Xavier University of Louisiana. He is a 2022 inductee into the Dr. M.L. King Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. He edited Thea Bowman: In My Own Words , and is the author of Thea Bowman: Faithful and Free. Introduction During the past decade (2010–2019) of the twenty-first century many throughout the world experienced a rare phenomenon of having two world leaders capture, captivate, and most importantly keep our attention not only through their inspiring humanitarian deeds but also by their sincere and riveting rhetoric―their words. The persuasive eloquence of both the former United States president (2009–2016), Barack Obama, and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church (2013–), Pope Francis. President Obama and Pope Francis both possess the ability to engage their listeners in a familiar way without being ostentatious given their position and authority. Their words, whether in an address, oration, disquisition, or homily, are seamlessly intelligent, relevant, clear, and compassionate. By and large people want to listen to these two contrasting figures, men varying in age, ethnicity, religion, and profession not only because of what they say but how they say it. Both politician and pontiff are passionate about their beliefs and convictions, and it is apparent in their rhetoric. I believe their speaking and preaching styles (although not ordained, Barack Obama has a preaching style) are honed by their cultural identities. The spirited rhetoric of Latin Americans and African Americans, persuasively evoking passion, emotion, and certitude, are evidenced by both of these prominent leaders. Although there are undeniable differences and challenges between American laws, political positions, and Roman Catholic teachings, without compromising their personal and institutional values they respected each other and coalesced around their commonalities. This was never more in evidence than when Pope Francis made a papal visit to the United States and was invited by Mr. and Mrs. Obama to visit the White House on September 23, 2015. As a way of welcome President Obama spoke first, and after his initial customary pleasantries, he took on the semblance and rhetoric of a preacher. He didn’t have a scriptural text but with rhythmic diction, moving cadence, and reverberating repetition of the phrase, “you remind us,” President Obama in part shared these sentiments regarding Pope Francis’s papacy: You remind us that the Lord’s most powerful message is mercy. That means welcoming the stranger with empathy and a truly open heart―from the refugee who flees war-torn lands, to the immigrant who leaves home in search of a better life. It means showing compassion and love for the marginali