There are many beloved saints and those on the path to sainthood who were Black Catholics who lived lives of heroic virtue. Take some time this month to learn about one and seek their intercession as you walk on your path of holiness.

St. Josephine Bakhita

St. Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan and kidnapped when she was 7 years old. She was then sold into slavery where she received the name Bakhita, meaning “fortunate” despite the extremely unfortunate situation she found herself in. She was treated poorly during this time, with severe damage done to her body. She was repeatedly sold throughout the region before being taken to Italy and ultimately given to the Michieli family.

It was while she served that family that she encountered the Catholic Church as she accompanied their daughter to a school run by the Canossian Sisters. Josephine was drawn to the Church where she was then baptized and confirmed. When Josephine refused to accompany the Michieli family back to Africa, the judge in the region declared that because slavery was illegal in Italy, Josephine had actually been free for several years and had no obligation to leave.

St. Josephine entered the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa, and she worked in her religious community doing sewing, cooking, and welcoming visitors in addition to serving the children who attended the school. She died at the convent in 1947.

Venerable Augustus Tolton

Venerable Augustus Tolton grew up in Illinois with a difficult childhood that was also one of deep faith. Often being pulled into protests, working as a laborer, or helping his mother as a church janitor, his childhood was spent helping support his family. Despite this, he spent hours in prayer between his schedules. He attended religious education classes, and the priests and nuns saw his deep love for God and a desire to serve.  

As a teen he began teaching religion classes to black children. He desired to become a priest and enter seminary but was denied because of his race. Despite being faced with racism, some individual priests and nuns helped him receive a proper education and ultimately enter seminary in Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1886 and was the first black priest in the United States. He is known for living out his faith amid opposition as well as for being the priest and servant of all regardless of race.  

Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman

Sister Thea Bowman grew up in Mississippi in a protestant household. As a child, she saw how Catholics around her put their faith into action to serve and was inspired. When she was nine years old, she asked her parents to allow her to become Catholic and she converted.  

When she was 15, she heard God call her to religious life and entered with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, becoming the only African American member of that community. Through the religious community she earned a Masters and Doctorate and became a professor at three different colleges and universities in the United States.

She spent much of her life serving others and advocating for Black Catholics. She co-founded the National Black Sisters’ conference, worked with others to produce an African American Catholic hymnal, taught the first Black literature course at the Catholic University of America, and consistently traveled across the United States to speak at events and unite people across racial and cultural barriers.

In 1984 she lost both of her parents and was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued her national ministry even as she was confined to a wheelchair up until her death. She passed away in 1990.

Examples for Us

We can all look to these holy men and women as examples of how to live the faith. Whether it’s through remaining strong in the faith through persecution, seeing God in our neighbors and standing up against racism, or remaining steadfast in the work the Lord calls us to, they are examples of holiness that we can look to.  

This Black Catholic History Month, let us work to end racism, strive for unity in the Church as the Body of Christ, and learn more about those Black Catholics who held tightly to the faith amid extreme hardship.

Each year, the Diocese of Saint Petersburg celebrates a Diocesan African Mass to celebrate African Catholic culture. This year’s Mass will take place November 8th. For more information, click here.

For more information about Black Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, click here.