FOLLOW ALONG IN CAUSES FOR SAINTHOOD!
Although the Church has worldwide saints of African descent, it has no black American saints.
There are six African American candidates for sainthood in the early stages of the journey to be named a saint.
These three are at the first level of the process, that a diocesan tribunal believes that they lived lives of heroic virtue, and has sent testimony about their holiness to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints at the Vatican:
Three are at the second level of the process. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints with the approval of the pope holds them up to be worthy of veneration for their heroic lives of virtue:
The next level, beatification (to be called Blessed), requires documentation of one miracle (except in the case of a martyr).
Canonization (to be called Saint), the fourth level, requires two miracles.
Although the Church has worldwide saints of African descent, it has no black American saints.
There are six African American candidates for sainthood in the early stages of the journey to be named a saint.
These three are at the first level of the process, that a diocesan tribunal believes that they lived lives of heroic virtue, and has sent testimony about their holiness to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints at the Vatican:
- Servant of God Julia Greeley (c. 1840-1918)
- Servant of God Mary Elizabeth Lange (c. 1794-1882)
- Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990)
Three are at the second level of the process. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints with the approval of the pope holds them up to be worthy of veneration for their heroic lives of virtue:
- Venerable Henriette Delille (1813-1862)
- Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853)
- Venerable Father Augustus Tolton (1854-1897)
The next level, beatification (to be called Blessed), requires documentation of one miracle (except in the case of a martyr).
Canonization (to be called Saint), the fourth level, requires two miracles.
Servant of God Julia Greeley became known as Denver’s Angel of Charity for her support of poor families. CLICK HERE for the Archdiocese of Denver website about Julia Greeley. DOWNLOAD a PDF with biography, timeline, and prayer. 
Venerable Henriette Delille founded Sisters of the Holy Family, a religious order based in New Orleans. CLICK HERE to learn more about her from the Sisters of the Holy Family. Check this website for information, prayer, and to follow the canonization process. DOWNLOAD a PDF with biography, timeline, and prayer. |
Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore. CLICK HERE for information on Mother Lange from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. CLICK HERE to follow her cause for canonization. DOWNLOAD a PDF with biography, timeline, and prayer. 
Venerable Pierre Toussaint was a successful hairdresser to prominent New Yorkers who lived an extraordinary life devoted to charity for the sick and dying, for orphans, and for the Church. CLICK HERE for Franciscan Media's Saint of the Day story and reflection on Venerable Pierre Toussaint. FOLLOW HIS CAUSE and learn more about him from the Archdiocese of New York. DOWNLOAD a PDF with biography, timeline, and prayer. |
Venerable Augustus Tolton was an American priest who had to train in Rome because no U.S. seminary would take him.
CLICK HERE for an excellent website on Fr. Tolton's life, times, and the cause for his sainthood by the Archdiocese of Chicago. DOWNLOAD a PDFwith biography, timeline, and prayer. Borrow this book for children from the Diocesan Library. It is an exciting graphic journey through Fr. Tolton's life that will captivate readers of varied ages. To buy this book, visit the publisher, Liturgy Training Publications. 
Through St. Luke Productions you can book a live production of "Tolton: From Slave to Priest" here.
From their website: "Tolton is a powerful multi-media live production, filled with music, drama and inspiring performances. It brings a message of hope and healing for the wounds that plague our culture. Sponsor this show, and be inspired by Father Augustus Tolton's perseverence and faith." 
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SERVANT of GOD Sister THEA BOWMAN
Sr. Thea Bowman is on her way to being named a saint.
The United States Bishops endorsed the sainthood cause of Sister Thea Bowman on Nov. 14, 2018, during their fall assembly in Baltimore.
Sr. Thea Bowman is on her way to being named a saint.
The United States Bishops endorsed the sainthood cause of Sister Thea Bowman on Nov. 14, 2018, during their fall assembly in Baltimore.
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CLICK HERE for the website dedicated to her cause for canonization.
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CLICK HERE for her page on the website of her order, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, with a bio, and links to prayer card, photos, and art.
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DOWNLOAD a PDF with biography, timeline, and prayer.
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Watch Sr. Thea Bowman address the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference at their annual meeting in June of 1989 with "Being a Black Catholic." (She would die of cancer nine months later.)
She enlightened the bishops on African-American history and spirituality, and urged them to promote inclusivity and full participation of African-Americans within Church leadership.
If you have only a couple of minutes to give to this, begin watching at 32:36 -- it's a gift to you and the Church.
She enlightened the bishops on African-American history and spirituality, and urged them to promote inclusivity and full participation of African-Americans within Church leadership.
If you have only a couple of minutes to give to this, begin watching at 32:36 -- it's a gift to you and the Church.
The Diocesan Library has these resources on Sr. Thea:
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE LIBRARY MATERIALS
or call 330 744-8451 ext 297, or email library@youngstowndiocese.org.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE LIBRARY MATERIALS
or call 330 744-8451 ext 297, or email library@youngstowndiocese.org.
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Thea's Song : The Life of Thea Bowman
by Charlene Smith and John Feister Chronicles the life of Thea Bowman, describing her childhood in Mississippi during the civil rights era, her life in a Catholic convent in Wisconsin, and her efforts to fight prejudice and human sadness before her death in 1990. 
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This Little Light: Lessons in Living from Sr. Thea Bowman
by Michael O'Neill McGrath 
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The Art of Dying and Living: Lessons from Saints of Our Time
by Kerry Walters Offers guidance on dying and living through the descriptions of the lives and virtues of nine inspirational men and women, including Joseph Bernardin, Thea Bowman, Etty Hillesum, Jonathan Daniels, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 
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STAGES OF BEING NAMED A SAINT:
1. Servant of God
(means that a diocese believes the person has lived a life of heroic virture, has compiled materials testifying to the person's holiness, and has sent them to the Holy See’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints)
2. Venerable
(the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has examined the materials, perhaps looked for more testimony, recognized a life of heroic virue and that the person's life reflects the Catholic faith)
3. Blessed
(a miracle of a cure is reported due to the intercession of the Venerable person; three teams that work independently examine the miracle (doctors, theologians, and cardinals); if they and the pope agree that the cure was miraculous, the person can be officially declared Blessed. If the person is acknowledged as a martyr, no miracle is needed at this stage.)
4. Saint
(a second miracle that goes through the same process for "Blessed" is recognized)
1. Servant of God
(means that a diocese believes the person has lived a life of heroic virture, has compiled materials testifying to the person's holiness, and has sent them to the Holy See’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints)
2. Venerable
(the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has examined the materials, perhaps looked for more testimony, recognized a life of heroic virue and that the person's life reflects the Catholic faith)
3. Blessed
(a miracle of a cure is reported due to the intercession of the Venerable person; three teams that work independently examine the miracle (doctors, theologians, and cardinals); if they and the pope agree that the cure was miraculous, the person can be officially declared Blessed. If the person is acknowledged as a martyr, no miracle is needed at this stage.)
4. Saint
(a second miracle that goes through the same process for "Blessed" is recognized)