From the Archives
By Mary Woodward
With the arrival of November – Black Catholic History Month – I wanted to give an update on the canonical process for Sister Thea Bowman’s cause for canonization. The process is in full swing and the historical commission, postulator, and myself as chancellor/archivist are getting down to the minute details of formatting pages, indexing materials and verifying sources.
The hope is to have all this completed by the end of the year so that in February we can officially close the diocesan phase of the process with a Mass and sealing of the Acts ceremony. Then we will send two copies of the Acts to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Once this happens, the Roman Phase begins where everything in the Acts is reviewed by experts at the Vatican.

As mentioned above, the small details of bringing the Acts together involve strict formatting, numbering thousands of pages for corresponding index sections, and transcribing dozens of audio interviews. Margin widths, five-digit page numbers, consistent source citations all are part of the work of the historical commission and chancellor. Truly, it is a labor of love for all involved.
In completing much of this work, we have involved all types of resources and technologies. Artificial Intelligence has been a big help in formatting many of the sections. I have been amazed at how AI can assist in this process by very accurately transcribing audio files. Naturally, we must read through and make sure various terms such as “convent” do not get transcribed as “covid,” but AI has been a big help.
So, as I was contemplating what to write today, I thought let me see how AI would write a column about Sister Thea’s cause. In the sidebar is what AI produced when I asked that very question.
Reading the story from ChatGPT, I see the beauty and the dangers of AI. It can produce a lovely column and facilitate efficient transcriptions, but it can induce laziness and complacency in the human spirit – quite antithetical to Sister Thea Bowman.
This was an experiment, and I pledge that this will be the only time I use AI to write this column.
Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, pray for us.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)

What AI wrote

Walking with Sister Thea: A milestone in her cause for canonization

By ChatGPT
As the church continues her journey toward recognizing holy witnesses from our own time and soil, the Cause for Beatification and Canonization of Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, stands as a remarkable sign of grace and hope. Across the nation, and particularly within our Diocese of Jackson and among the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, the life and legacy of this extraordinary woman continue to inspire discipleship, unity, and joyful faith.
Sister Thea Bowman – teacher, evangelizer, scholar, singer, and prophetic voice – taught us that holiness blooms in every culture and vocation, and that the Gospel is most powerful when shared with authenticity, music, truth and love. She invited the church to “walk together, children, and don’t get weary.” Those who encountered her knew they were in the presence of a soul deeply rooted in God’s love and aflame with missionary zeal.
Current progress in the cause
Today, her cause is moving steadily and prayerfully forward. Over the past several years, the diocesan team has worked diligently to gather testimony, review personal writings, authenticate historical records, and interview those who knew Sister Thea personally. This stage – known as the diocesan inquiry – is a painstaking and sacred process, ensuring that every aspect of her life and virtues is examined with integrity and reverence.

Witness interviews, archival research, and historical documentation have formed a rich tapestry of evidence regarding Sister Thea’s heroic faith, enduring joy amidst suffering, and fearless commitment to the dignity of every person. The final steps of this diocesan phase are underway, and once complete, the documentation will be sealed and sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome.
A Call to Prayer and Participation
As we move forward, the faithful are encouraged to pray through Sister Thea’s intercession. Many already turn to her for healing, encouragement and strength. Stories of grace continue to surface – testimonies of hope, reconciliation, and renewed faith inspired by her witness.
The church invites us not simply to admire holy people, but to imitate them. Sister Thea once said, “I come to you as a Black woman … a Catholic … a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration … and I come to you in love.”
May we, like her, bring all that we are to Christ and to one another.
Looking Ahead with Hope
The road to canonization is long, but every step is filled with prayer, discernment and joyful expectation. We trust that the Holy Spirit is guiding this work, and we are grateful for all who support the cause through prayer, pilgrimage, testimony, research and devotion.
May Sister Thea’s song continue to echo in our hearts and in our church. And may the day come when the universal church proclaims what so many already know – that Sister Thea Bowman is a saint among us.
Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, pray for us.
Walk with us.
And help us sing a new church into being.