by Janine Fondon

BOSTON (FinalCall.com)�"Remembering our past � celebrating our present and renewing our faith for the future" was the theme of the grand reunion of church members, neighbors and friends, including the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, who share a common history�St. Cyprian�s. Min. Farrakhan spent his formative years at this church, under his mother�s strict supervision. The church pastor is Rev. Dr. Henderson L. Brome.

Born in 1933 and baptized Louis Eugene Walcott, Min. Farrakhan was part of the Caribbean community that had a large presence in Boston�s Roxbury neighborhood in the 1930s. Current and former members from across the country convened for the event and shared fond memories of a church that set standards for their youth and instilled a sense of family and pride in the people who thrived there.

Min. Farrakhan said, "It is a great honor to come home to be with you. � This community made me who I am. How grateful I am that St. Cyprian�s nurtured me and blessed me. St. Cyprian�s is more than just a church, it is an extended family. The church encouraged me to be the best I can be. I am not anything by myself. � A community of people made me who I am."

"We don�t know what God has in store for us," he observed. So, the Minister advised, "live in harmony with God and nature, find your purpose, live your purpose, and whatever you give, you get."

In his church experience, Min. Farrakhan always listened to the older people and resonated with the pain of these role models and Black pioneers. "The suffering of our people nurtured me," he said.

Min. Farrakhan later left the church. In 1955, he met Minister Malcolm X and heard in person the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam and a man who became his mentor and teacher. Shortly after that event, Louis Walcott became Louis X, a minister in the Nation of Islam.

He returned to Boston and for several years served as minister at Muhammad Temple No. 11 in Boston.

"I left the Episcopal church because it was not relevant to the struggle of Black people," explained Min. Farrakhan. "I will fight and die for the rise of our people and humanity. We are fulfilling prophesy by our sojourn."

In commenting on America�s approach to fighting terrorism, Min. Farrakhan said, "America is in deep trouble and we are in deep trouble. Our leadership is off course and if we, of conscience, do not speak, we are aiding and abetting this country."

Announcing plans to go overseas and visit Africa and the Middle East, he said, "My aim is to stop a war."

With cautious expectation and citing questionable leadership by President Bush, he encouraged people to remember the persecution of Black people who spoke out against U.S. wars, such as Paul Robeson and Martin Luther King Jr.

Min. Farrakhan shared his hope that "not one American soldier would lose a life on a vendetta of the Bush family." He said to the young members of the audience, "I hope God will bless you to grow to see a better America."