The mission of the Institute is to promote effective ministry of the Church in the African American Community in the light of Roman Catholic and African American religious and cultural traditions. The Institute constitutes a learning community in which student and faculty engage in holistic teaching-learning, research, community service and communal worship. At the end of their program, students are expected to.

Have developed as Community leader-servants as a result of their spiritual, moral, and intellectual formation. Use the skills and knowledge that they obtained from the Institute to call themselves and others to deeper commitments of leadership and service within the Community. Develop positive attitudes for leadership and service. Be successful pastoral and lay ecclesial ministers, educators, and catechetical leaders Foster and support ongoing spiritual development and faith formation among adults, elders in the various generations of the African American Community. Understand the cultural and spiritual formation of African Americans and contribute in new ways to parish and school leadership formation within the Community.

The Institute embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ and affirms the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Faculty and students explore these teachings and theological and religious traditions through an interpretative lens derived from critical analysis and reflection upon the Black religious, historical, cultural, and social experience. The goal is to prepare students for more effective ministry in the Black Community. As a program of Xavier University of Louisiana, the Institute for Black Catholic Studies stands in complete harmony with the University’s mission statement as it faithfully seeks to address and respond to the fundamental question of what it has meant, what it means, and what it shall mean to be Black and Catholic.

Values of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies: Commitment to Catholic Social Teachings-Recognition of the dignity and potential of each human being-Identification and growth of understanding of Catholic identity and Black religious and history and cultures as these reflect the Gospel and the dynamic traditions of the Church.-Participation in the evangelization and social justice mission of the Church-Engagement in the process of authentic inculturation i.e. creative integration of Catholic Tradition and Black religious and cultural traditions in life, liturgy and theological study and ministerial practices-On-going excellence and dedication of faculty and students to the academy, church and society -Recognition and creative response to the reality of the impact of cultural diversity upon the teaching-learning dynamic -Fostering a spirit of collaboration in the teaching-learning and development of community through the ministries of the church.