Supporters of Venerable Augustus Tolton gathered in South Bend to promote his cause for sainthood, near the anniversary of his death. The gathering was the third National Convocation of the Tolton Ambassadors Corps, co-sponsored by the University of Notre Dame's Cushwa Center. Bishop Joseph Perry, vice postulator of the Tolton cause, encouraged the ambassadors and emphasized the need for a miracle to advance the cause. The Tolton cause was opened in 2010 after Cardinal Francis George of Chicago read a biography of Tolton.
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Supporters of Venerable Augustus Tolton, the first publicly recognized Black Catholic priest in the U.S., recently gathered in South Bend, Indiana, for the third National Convocation of the Tolton Ambassadors Corps 1. Co-sponsored by the University of Notre Dame's Cushwa Center, the event aimed to renew commitment to promoting his cause for sainthood through prayer and discussion 1. Retired Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, vice postulator of Tolton's cause, encouraged the 30 ambassadors to pray for the miracle needed for beatification 1.
The cause for Tolton's canonization began in 2010, initiated by the late Cardinal Francis George of Chicago 1. In 2019, Pope Francis declared Tolton "Venerable," recognizing his life of heroic virtue 1. For beatification, one miracle attributed to his intercession must be accepted by the Church, and a second miracle is required for full canonization 1. Tolton is one of the "Saintly Seven," a group of African American Catholics currently considered for sainthood 1.
Augustus Tolton was born into slavery in Missouri and escaped with his mother and siblings to freedom in Illinois during the Civil War 1. Despite facing significant racial discrimination within and outside the Catholic Church, he pursued a vocation to the priesthood 1. After being rejected by American seminaries, he was ordained in Rome in 1886 1.
Upon returning to the U.S., Tolton's exceptional pastoral gifts and homilies in Quincy, Illinois, drew both Black and white Catholics, leading to jealousy from other priests 1. This eventually necessitated his transfer to Chicago in 1889, where he founded St. Monica Parish on the city's South Side, establishing an active evangelizing apostolate to Black Americans amidst pervasive racial segregation 1. Tolton died at the age of 43 in 1897 from heat stroke, with exhaustion and the systemic challenges of his ministry likely contributing factors 1.
Tolton ambassadors adhere to "Four Pillars": Pray, Catechize, Evangelize, and Support 1. They are actively spreading awareness about Tolton's life and virtues through talks, films, and fundraising efforts 1. Stefanie Miles, an ambassador from Washington, highlighted Tolton's courage in shedding light on racial injustices and emphasized the importance of ensuring his story is widely known, 150 years later 1. Deacon Mel Tardy, an organizer of the convocation, noted that Tolton's life teaches how to respond to racism with love and mercy, reflecting his continuous service without speaking ill of anyone 1.
How does the Church define holiness and sainthood?
The Catholic Church defines holiness as a call extended to all Christians, rooted in Baptism, to live a life perfected in charity and intimately united with Christ and the Most Holy Trinity . This universal call to holiness is a gift from God, enabling believers to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one another as Christ loves them .
Holiness, in the Christian ideal, is characterized by virtues that transcend pagan ethics, such as boundless charity, humility, and chastity . It involves a deep knowledge of sin and God's mercy, and a willingness to embrace suffering as a means of intensifying and purifying love for God . The Church itself is holy because God is its author, Christ sanctified it, and the Holy Spirit gives it life with charity, providing the fullness of the means of salvation .
Holiness is the vocation of every member of the Church and the purpose of all its activities . It is a continuous striving for a high standard of Christian living, a ceaseless quest for communion with God, and a generous correspondence to God's plan of love . This path to holiness involves following Christ's footsteps, conforming to His image, seeking the Father's will, and devoting oneself to God's glory and the service of one's neighbor . It is nourished by prayer, the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), and the practice of Gospel virtues .
Sainthood is the recognition by the Church that certain individuals have lived lives of extraordinary holiness, practicing heroic virtue, and are now in heaven . Saints are seen as models and intercessors for believers, demonstrating that holiness can blossom even in lives marked by weakness and sin . They are witnesses who, through their profound union with Christ, put God at the center of their lives and made seeking and extending His kingdom their purpose .
The process of recognizing sainthood involves several stages:
Saints are not adored, but venerated, as they bring believers closer to Jesus Christ, the only Lord and Mediator . Their lives serve as a source of renewal in the Church's history and are an infallible measure of its apostolic and missionary zeal .