February is Black history month. In its honor, I present a few Black Saints and those on the way to canonization.
The Process of Canonization
Usually five years after a person’s death, someone petitions a bishop to open a cause for canonization. After approval,the proposed person is called Servant of God.
An appointed person gathers evidence that the person lived a life of heroic virtue. If Rome approves the report, it declares the person Venerable.
Once a miracle due to the person’s intercession is approved, the pope declares them Blessed.
After a second miracle, the person is officially canonized, declared Saint.
Black Saints
Saint Charles Lwanga and Saint Kizito: They are among 22 Ugandan martyrs. Saint Charles catechized other young men and defended them against the homosexual demands of the king.
St. Josephine Bakhita: At the age of seven, she was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Sudan. Her owner brought her to Italy where she joined the Catholic Church. When her owners decided to take her back to Sudan, she refused. Because slavery was illegal in Italy, a court freed her. Eventually she joined a religious community.
Saint Martin de Porres: He is my favorite Black saint. I was going to write a brief bio here, but then discovered I had already written one. See https://kathleenglavich.org/saint-for-black-history-month-st-martin-de-porres/
Six on the Way to Sainthood
I encourage you to click on the links that take you to more comprehensive biographies.
Arguably the most well-known Black person on the path to canonization, at least in the United States, is Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman (1937–1990). She was the first African American woman to address the US Bishop’s conference. You might have seen her leading the bishop in holding hands and singing “We Shall Overcome.” Her lively programs were aimed to break down racist and cultural barriers.
Servant of God Julia Greeley (1833-1918) was born into slavery in Missouri. After gaining freedom in 1863, she moved to Denver. There she celebrated baptism and promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart. She ministered to the poor, often giving away the little she had. This won her the title “angel of charity.” Finally, she became a member of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Venerable Father Augustus Tolton (1854-1897) Augustus was born a slave in 1854 in Missouri. His family escaped in 1863 and moved to Illinois where he garnered honors in college. Because seminaries in the United States would not accept him, he was ordained in Rome and offered his first Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Back in the United States, he was known as the first African-American priest. He served in Chicago, ministering to Black Catholics.
Venerable Mother Mary Lange (1789-1882) Mother Mary Lange was born in Haiti. During the revolution there, the family moved to Cuba. Mother Mary relocated to Baltimore and in 1829 founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence for African-American women. They ministered to Black youth.
Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853) Enslaved in Haiti, Pierre was brought to New York City where he was a famous hairdresser. After his enslaver died, he was free. He cared for orphans, immigrants, and the sick during cholera. A philanthropist, he raised funds to build St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Vincent de Paul Church.
A Special Treat
For a deeply moving and inspiring talk, watch Sister Thea Bowman’s address to the bishops:
If you have attended Mass at a Black Catholic Church, what was your impression?
Which Black saint or saint-in-waiting would you like to know more about?
