Editor’s note: This collection of leaders of African descent on the Road to Sainthood is from the Subcommittee on African American Affairs – the official voice of the African American Catholic community. The subcommittee attends to the needs and aspirations of African American Catholics regarding issues of pastoral ministry, evangelization, social justice, worship, development of leaders and other areas of concern. For more resources visit: www.usccb.org/committees/african-american-affairs

Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1776-1853)

Venerable Pierre Toussaint, a philanthropist and founder of many Catholic charitable works, was born a slave in Haiti and brought from Haiti to New York as an apprentice under a popular hairstylist in the city. He eventually became the most sought-after hairdresser of high society women. Upon the death of his master, he gained his freedom and quickly succeeded as one of the country’s first black entrepreneurs. He became quite wealthy, but instead of spending lavishly on himself, he supported the Church and the poor. He and his wife sheltered orphans, refuges, and others out on the streets in their home. He founded one of New York’s first orphanages and raised money for the city’s first cathedral. During yellow fever epidemics, Toussaint would risk his life to help others by nursing the sick and praying with the dying.“I have never felt I am a slave to any man or woman but I am a servant of Almighty God who made us all. When one of his children is in need, I am glad to be His slave.”

Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange (1784-1882)

Servant of God Mother Mary Lange was born Elizabeth Lange, a native of the Caribbean, and believed to be Cuban born of Haitian descent. She was the foundress and first Superior General of the Oblate Sisters of Providence (1829-1832), the first religious congregation of African American women in the history of the Catholic Church. On July 2, 1829, Elizabeth and three other women professed their vows and became the Oblate Sisters of Providence with the goal of educating and evangelizing African Americans. They educated youth and provided a home for orphans. Freed slaves were educated and at times admitted into the congregation. They nursed the terminally ill during the cholera epidemic of 1832, sheltered the elderly, and served as domestics at St. Mary’s Seminary. Mother Mary Lange practiced faith to an extraordinary degree. It was her deep faith – in close union with Jesus – which enabled her to persevere against all odds. She lived through disappointment and opposition until God called her home in 1882 at the St. Frances Convent in Baltimore, Maryland.

Venerable Henriette Delille (1813-1862)

Venerable Henriette Delille was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she would live her entire life. For the love of Jesus and responding to the Gospel’s mandate, she was determined to help those in need. Henriette was also a person who suffered as she made her way through life, and she bore many crosses. She taught those around her that sanctity can be attained in following the path of Jesus. It was in this manner that she dealt with her troubles and major obstacles to achieve her goals. Some of the troubles Henriette met were the resistance of the ruling population to the idea of a black religious congregation; the lack of finances to do the work; the taunts and disbelief of people in her mission; the lack of support from both the Church and civil authority; and poor health.
However, Henriette practiced heroic virtue. She had faith, lived in hope, and practiced love. She was compassionate, forgiving, and merciful. She believed in justice and was not afraid to do what was right in the eyes of God. God blessed her efforts and, in 1842, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family. Henriette died 20 years later on November 17, 1862. Her funeral was held at St. Augustine Church. Her obituary stated, “… Miss Henriette Delille had for long years consecrated herself totally to God without reservation to the instruction of the ignorant and principally to the slave.”

Venerable Father Augustus Tolton (1854-1897)

Venerable Augustus Tolton was the first U.S. Roman Catholic priest publicly known to be black when he was ordained in 1886. A former slave who was baptized and reared Catholic, Tolton formally studied in Rome. He was ordained in Rome on Easter Sunday at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Fr. Tolton led the development and construction of St. Monica’s Catholic Church as a black “National Parish Church”, which was completed in 1893. Tolton’s success at ministering to black Catholics quickly earned him national attention within the Catholic hierarchy. “Good Father Gus,” as many called him, was known for his eloquent sermons, his beautiful singing voice, and his talent for playing the accordion. He is the subject of the 1973 biography from Slave to Priest by Sister Caroline Hemesath.

Servant of God Julia Greeley (1833/1848-1918)

Servant of God Julia Greeley was born into slavery in Hannibal, Missouri sometime between 1833 and 1848. Freed by Missouri’s Emancipation Act in 1865, Julia subsequently earned her keep by serving white families in Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico—though mostly in the Denver area. Julia entered the Catholic Church at Sacred Heart Parish in Denver in 1880 and was an outstanding supporter of all the parish. The Jesuits who ran the parish considered her the most enthusiastic promoter of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus they had ever seen. Every month she visited on foot every fire station in Denver and delivered literature of the Sacred Heart League to the firemen, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. A daily communicant, Julia had a rich devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin and continued her prayers while working. She joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1901 and was active in it till her death in 1918. As part of the Cause for Canonization, Julia’s mortal remains were transferred to Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on June 7, 2017.

Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA (1937-1990)
Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA was a self-proclaimed, “old folks’ child.” Bowman was the only child born to middle-aged parents, Dr. Theon Bowman, a physician, and Mary Esther Bowman, a teacher. At birth, she was given the name Bertha Elizabeth Bowman. She was born in 1937 and reared in Canton, Mississippi. As a child, she converted to Catholicism through the inspiration of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity who were her teachers and pastors at Holy Child Jesus Church and School in Canton. During her short lifetime, many people considered her a religious sister undeniably close to God and who lovingly invited others to encounter the presence of God in their lives. She is acclaimed as a “holy woman” in the hearts of those who knew and loved her and continue to seek her intercession for guidance and healing.
For more information on Sister Thea’s cause, visit www.sistertheabowman.com.

Race and Intercultural Competence (Readings):
“Brothers And Sisters To Us,” National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB), Washington DC, 1979

“Discrimination And Christian Conscience,” US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC, 1958

“How Church Teaching Can Help Explain why ‘Black Lives Matter,’ America, Sept 2020

“Fratelli Tutti,” Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis, Vatican City, 2020

“Humana Communitas: 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Pontifical Academy for Life,” Pope Francis, Vatican City, 2019

“The Inner Life and Cultural Competence,” Len Sperry, (found in): The Inner Life of Priests, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 2008, pp. 59-70

“The Journey Within and Intercultural Competencies,” Gerard J. McGlone, SJ & Fernando A. Ortiz, (found in) The Inner Life of Priests, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 2008, pp. 72-81

“The Lessons I Learned from My Hispanic Parishioners,” Msgr. Scott Friend, (found in): A Priest’s Life: The Calling, The Cost, The Joy, The Word Among Us Press, 2010, pp. 42-50

“Many Faces In God’s House-A Catholic Vision for the Third Millennium,” USCCB, Washington DC 2000

“The Multi-Cultural Reality of Priestly Ministry Today,” (found in) Same Call, Different Men, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 2011, pp. 92-111

“The Nation’s Race Crisis,” US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC, 1968

“Open Wide Our Hearts, “ USCCB, Washington DC, 2018

“Practical Steps for Eradicating Racism: An Invitation,” USCCB Subcommittee on African American Affairs, and Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, 2020

“The Priest In The Midst of Cultural Diversity,” Bishop Gerald R. Barnes, (found in): Priests for a New Millennium, USCCB Secretariat For Priestly Life and Ministry, Washington DC, 2000, pp. 163-174

“The Racial Divide: Are We Finally Awoke?”, Bishop Edward K. Braxton, Belleville, 2020

“Reconciled Through Christ, “ USCCB, Washington DC, 1997

Virtual Black Catholic History Events:
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6-7:30 p.m. CST
“Why Black Catholic History Matters”
King’s College – The McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility
Presentation and Q&A with Shannen Dee Williams, Albert LePage Assistant Professor of History, Villanova University, with a response from Mary Beth Fraser Connolly, Lecturer in History, Purdue University Northwest
Register: https://bit.ly/2N3Epce

Sunday, Feb. 21, 1-3 p.m. CST
“Conversion to Racial Justice: Are We Who We Say We Are?”
Rev. Deacon Royce Winters, Director of African American Pastoral Ministries for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati facilitates a conversation on Racial Justice.
Participants will be asked to be open to the transforming power of God that will allow us to freely enter into an examination of conscience through prayer, scripture and faith-sharing. Their hope is to provide a safe place to address the words, gestures and attitudes that hinder us from becoming whole. Are We Who We Say We Are?
Register: https://bit.ly/2N5DZlC

Wednesday, February 24th: 6-7:30 PM CST
Racial Harmony Commission of the Diocese of Baton Rouge
“What can the Church do about Racism” with Gloria Purvis
Register: https://www.sulc.edu/form/549 (if you register, you will get an email from support@redhouse243.com which will ask you to formally register through the Southern University Law Center)

Xavier University of Louisiana
During February, Mass will be streamed on each Sunday from the St. Katharine Drexel Chapel via the Campus Ministry YouTube channel:
Visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9glV2joiw5ChM4I3uxdBpQ

National Association of Pastoral Musicians
Every Thursday in February, they will livestream 15-minute Art and Music presentations to celebrate Black Catholic heroes throughout Black History month:
• Black Madonnas (music by Meredith Augustin)
• Venerable Augustus Tolton (music by Cliff Petty)
• Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman (music by M. Roger Holland II)
• Be Who You Are (music by ValLimar Jansen)
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/NPMNational/

Diocese of Buffalo will be hosting a Zoom discussion on
• Black Popes and Bishops/Black Catholic Clergy on Monday, Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. CST
• Racial Justice in the US and the Catholic Church on Monday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Details: https://bit.ly/36SfW0I

Archdiocese of Chicago
Co-Sponsors: Diocese of Columbus, Diocese of Birmingham, Diocese of Richmond, Archdiocese of Denver and the Tolton Spirituality Center
Every Saturday in February there will be an in-depth educational experience for Black History Month. “We strive to inspire the Christian faithful through the witness of our Catholic candidates for sainthood. We will celebrate how they triumphed over tragedies and learn how we can do the same.”
• Henriette Delile and Augustus Tolton, Saturday, Feb. 13
• Julia Greeley and Thea Bowman, Saturday, Feb. 20
• Augustus Tolton: Renewal, Restoration and Reconciliation, Saturday, Feb. 27
Register: https://bit.ly/3p8Imda

(Reading list compiled by the Subcommittee on African American Affairs of the USCCB and event list compiled by Daisey Martinez with the Office of Intercultural Ministires of the Diocese of Jackson.)

Father Tom Mullally, SVD is assigned as Pastor Emeritus of the Sacred Heart Parish in Greenville effective January 1, 2021.

Father Clement Oyafemi is assigned as Administrator of Holy Family Parish in Jackson, effective January 1, 2021

Father Anthony Okwum, SSJ is assigned as Administrator of Holy Family Parish in Natchez, its mission St. John the Baptist in Cranfield, and St. Anne Parish in Fayette, effective January 15, 2021

Father Sebastian Myladiyil, SVD is assigned as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Greenville effective January 1, 2021.

Father Alexis Zúniga Velásquez, ST is assigned as part of the missionary ministry of the Sacred Heart Cenacle in Camden; and as Sacramental Minister for St. Anne Church in Carthage effective January 1, 2021.

By Fran Lavelle
JACKSON – Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was invited to speak to the priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) 2018 document, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love.” He gave four presentations; first, he examined how the church responded to racism before Open Wide Our Hearts; he then gave an in-depth reflection into the document; he shared resources that can be used to engage conversation on the topic of racism; and he gave a final presentation on why the ministers of the church must preach on racism.
Bishop Fabre began his remarks noting that, “No one presentation, no one pastoral letter, no one day is going to capture the full tragic reality of racism. Racism is a multi-faceted, dynamic, ever adapting evil and sin that grips us. We are constantly trying to rise above it and dismantle it in our lives.”

However, he maintains that a good first step is understanding where we are today in context of racism and the church. To do that we need to look to the wisdom of the past. The church in the US has, in responding to and in seeking to root out racism, promulgated several pastoral letters to direct a more intentional understanding of the sinful nature of racism. Bishop Fabre made note that the social landscape of our nation today looks much like it did 60 years ago with a turbulent environment in race relations. Our call to holiness as the Body of Christ at work on earth requires us to respond in word and action.
The US Catholic Church first addressed the sin of racism in 1958 with the document, “Discrimination and Christian Conscience.” The document condemns the blatant forms of racism that were found in segregation and Jim Crow laws. A decade later, in 1968, “National Race Crisis” was written to condemn the indignity of racism and the policies that had led to violence that erupted in many major cities across our nation. The Bishops noted, “Evident that we did not do enough, we have much more to do. It became clear that we failed to change the attitude of many believers.”
The previous document did not accomplish what it intended. Within the Church the Black Catholic Clergy caucus made their first attempt to speak to the church from the perspective of the Black experience. The Black clergy called upon the church to recognize the increasing alienation and the estrangement taking place between the black community and the Catholic Church. “National Race Crisis” called for the faithful to act decisively. The proponents of the document took a broad view of racism to include attitudes and behaviors not just in hearts of men but also in their institutions. Institutional, structural racism was recognized along with individual personal racism.
Then in 1979 the Bishops issued, “Brothers and Sisters to Us,” as racism was still affecting so many. It highlighted the structural and institutional forms of racial injustice evident in the economic imbalances found in our nation. Together these three documents addressed race within the boarders of our own nation. They offer strong words of condemnation against racism. Just when it felt like we might be entering into a post racial America, we realized how evident it is that we are not.
In August 2017 after a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in which one person was left dead and many more injured after a self identified white supremacist deliberately ran his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism realized the Bishops must once again use their voice to address the sin of racism. The result of that work was the publication of “Open Wide Our Hearts: An Enduring Call to Love” in 2018.
The pastoral letter reminds the faithful that we are all brothers and sisters, made in the likeness and image of God. Bishop Fabre reminded us that laws are necessary to maintain civil society. However, only a conversion of heart, will root out the sin of racism in our own hearts and in our institutions.
Father “Clem” Oyafemi, newly assigned administrator of Holy Family Jackson and coordinator of intercultural ministries at the diocese, offered his takeaway from the workshop. “No one can listen to Bishop Fabre’s message on racism without having a conversion,” Father Clem said. “He challenges us preachers to have the courage to confront the evil of racism as it contradicts our identity as Christians. For me, “Open Wide Our Hearts” is like a mirror. There is enough curiosity to hold in front of me, and having seen the dirt on my face, there is the urgency to go wash it. That document makes me see why racism and Christianity are not compatible.”
Discerning how Catholics can be part of the solution is an overwhelming task, but “the journey of one thousand miles must begin with a single step.” (Lao Tzu) Thankfully the USCCB has produced a treasure trove of resource materials including a study guide for the pastoral letter, catechetical materials, and tips for preaching on racism. The resources can be found online at: https://www.usccb.org/racism.
There are some who would say that the church needs to stay out of social issues like racism and stick to preaching the Gospel. At that, Mark 12:30 reads, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” That is the enduring call to love. That is the love that compels us as Catholics, to work to end racism.

(Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)

By Stephanie Brown
JACKSON – On Dec. 17, 2020, Vicksburg Catholic School announced that Katie Emfinger would take the reigns as the new director for the Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center, set to open in late spring. Emfinger currently serves as the Title I and Resource Teacher at St. Francis Xavier, the Elementary Campus of Vicksburg Catholic School. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable as the community welcomes its youngest learners.

Emfinger received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Belhaven University and her M.Ed. from Mississippi College. In 2010, she received her National Board Certification. While the early learning center will be a part of the Vicksburg Catholic School umbrella, assuming the role of director brings on the responsibility and exciting opportunity to build organizational culture from the ground up. Starting with a brand-new facility and staff, Emfinger will build on the strong Catholic environment found in VCS while also making the center its own unique entity. When asked what she is most looking forward to in her new position, she said, “I am looking forward to creating a loving, enriching environment, along with my team at the Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center, for all children.”
Having been a member of the Vicksburg Catholic family for five years, Emfinger recognizes the value of educating the whole child. Her strong academic background, combined with her desire to teach in the Light of Christ, will surely create an environment where all children can thrive.
Emfinger recognizes the importance of building a true sense of community in the new facility and hopes to create a place where children grow and parents are confident in the care the center provides. “I am also looking forward to not only watching our children grow physically, but watching them grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, and emotionally as well. I want our children to leave every day knowing they are loved.”
St. Francis Xavier Principal Mary Arledge said, “When working in a school with loving and caring teachers and staff as we have at St. Francis Xavier, you become more of a family than coworkers. Katie has been part of the family for five years, and she is everything that an Early Learning Center needs for a director. She is a warm, loving, gentle, and caring person who makes a perfect fit when caring not only for infants through 3-year-olds but also for the new mothers who may leave their child for the first time. Katie is dedicated to the field of education and excited to begin educating the youngest learners of Vicksburg Catholic School.”

(Stephanie Brown is the assistant superintendent of the Office of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Jackson.)