In the Catholic Church, canonization requires the approval of two miracles, but so far none have been recognized for the African American candidates. The ‘Saintly Six,’ as they are affectionately called by Black Catholics, include Mother Mary Lange, Father Augustus Tolton, Mother Henriette DeLille, Mr. Pierre Toussaint, Mrs. Julia Greeley, and Sister Thea Bowman. These six religious leaders have been proposed for sainthood, but the process has stalled due to the lack of miracles approved by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
The Challenge of Miracles
Beatification requires one confirmed miracle, and another for canonization. These miracles are usually medical healings attributed to the intercession of the candidate, with strict rules: no medical treatment should have been received, and prayers must be directed exclusively to that candidate. However, this limited definition may overlook God’s action in the fight against racism, a serious illness that these saints helped heal in the U.S. Catholic Church.
The Legacy of the Saintly Six
Father Augustus Tolton, the first openly recognized Black Catholic priest in the United States, studied in Rome after U.S. seminaries denied him admission due to his skin color. Mother Mary Lange founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore, the first religious congregation for Black women, defying laws that prohibited teaching enslaved people to read. Mother Henriette DeLille continued this work with the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, educating enslaved children and caring for the elderly. Pierre Toussaint, a hairdresser in New York, used his fortune to help the poor and marginalized. Julia Greeley, known as the ‘Angel of Charity’ in Denver, dedicated her life to charity. Sister Thea Bowman integrated African American culture into Catholic liturgy, promoting gospel choirs and Black representations of Jesus and the saints.
A Miracle of Social Healing
These six saints, with their faith and courage, confronted systemic racism in the Church and American society. Their actions, from civil disobedience to philanthropy, were a direct assault on white supremacy and a cure for the disease of racism. Although the Vatican has not yet officially recognized these miracles, many Black Catholics see in their legacy a spiritual and social healing that deserves recognition as a divine miracle.
Original source: www.blackcatholicmessenger.org (published February 28, 2024)
Photo: Willber Willberforce on Unsplash
