Follow along in causes for sainthood...
Although the Church has worldwide saints of African descent, we have no black American saints.
There are six holy and notable African-Americans far along in the process of being named a saint.
SEE A NEWS STORY on how these holy men and women are inspiring a parish in Cleveland.
Two are at the first level of the process, in which a diocesan tribunal recognizes 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:
Four 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.
There are six holy and notable African-Americans far along in the process of being named a saint.
SEE A NEWS STORY on how these holy men and women are inspiring a parish in Cleveland.
Two are at the first level of the process, in which a diocesan tribunal recognizes 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 Sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990)
Four 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 Mary Elizabeth Lange (c. 1794-1882)
- 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.
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Venerable Henriette Delille (1813-1861) founded the 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.
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Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766- 853) 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.
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Venerable Augustus Tolton (1854-1897) 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. 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 Julia Greeley (c.1840-1918) 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.
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Venerable Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange (c.1794-1882) 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. CLICK HERE for the Story of Mother Mary Lange from Catholic Relief Services |
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Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990) was sister, scholar, and teacher who made a major contribution to the ministry of the Church.
CLICK HERE for the website dedicated to her cause for canonization.
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.
DOWNLOAD a PDF with biography, timeline, and prayer.
The Diocesan Library has these resources on Sr. Thea:
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE LIBRARY MATERIALS or call 330 744-8451 ext 297, or email [email protected].
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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.
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)
