November is Black Catholic History Month

Black and Catholic

This short documentary aims to shed light on a singular narrative from the Black Catholic experience, a story that remains largely unfamiliar to many within our church. While this experience is unique, it resonates deeply with the broader African American Catholic community throughout the United States. The film intends to unveil the joys, sorrows, and challenges encountered by the Black Catholic community, with a particular focus on the specific obstacles faced in youth and young adult ministry. Through the exploration of themes such as "America's Original Sin," classism, and other pertinent social issues, we witness a distinctive expression of our Catholic faith gradually diminishing before our eyes.

Servant of God

The process for sainthood involves three steps: a candidate is declared "Venerable," then "Blessed," and finally a "Saint." The "Servant of God" is a title assigned to a candidate for sainthood whose case is still being examined. The bishop of the diocese where the person died leads the investigation.

Photo from: https://www.motherlange.org/mother-lange

Servant of God Mother Mary Lange

The cause for beatification of Mother Mary Lange, a servant of God, was initiated in 1991. On June 22, 2023, Pope Francis declared her venerable.

Photo from https://www.sistertheabowman.com/media/photos

Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman

In mid-2018, the Diocese of Jackson opened a canonization cause for Sister Thea Bowman, designating her as a Servant of God, the first step towards sainthood. At the 2018 Fall General Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance expressed unanimous support for advancing her cause at the diocesan level.

Servant of God Julia Greeley

In January 2014, the Archdiocese of Denver initiated an investigation into her beatification. By May 2021, her inquiry received approval and validation from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, leading to the commencement of a positio that summarizes her life.

Venerable

"Venerable" is given to those recognized by the pope for living a virtuous life.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint

The Archdiocese of New York established a committee to investigate Pierre Toussaint's life. In 1989, they endorsed the beatification process, granting Toussaint the title of Servant of God, which included the examination of his remains. In 1996, Pope John Paul II declared Toussaint venerable.

Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton

Father Tolton's beatification process was initiated by Cardinal Francis George in 2010. Pope Francis declared Tolton venerable in June 2019.

Venerable Henriette Delille

In 1988, her congregation initiated her beatification process, making her the first African American to do so, and she was titled Servant of God. The U.S. Catholic bishops unanimously endorsed her cause in 1997. Pope Benedict XVI recognized her heroic virtue and declared her venerable on March 27, 2010. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints formally approved the commencement of her beatification on June 22, 2010.

Blessed

In order to attain beatification and be acknowledged as a Blessed individual, it is necessary to have one miracle attributed to the candidate's intercession, along with the recognition of their heroic virtue or the offering of their life. Following beatification, a second miracle is required for canonization. However, it is within the pope's authority to waive these prerequisites.

Photo from https://www.stignatiusmobile.org/

Blessed Benedict Daswa

In January 2015, Pope Francis sanctioned acknowledgment of Benedict as a martyr. Later that year, September, he was beatified in Limpopo during a Mass attended by his elderly mother, his eight children, and tens of thousands of devoted followers.

Photo from https://www.saintforaminute.com/

Blessed Francisco de Paula Victor

Father Francisco de Paula Victor is the first black Brazilian to be beatified by the Church and the first former slave to become a priest to be considered for canonization. His beatification took place in Brazil on November 14, 2015

Saint

Canonization (or Sainthood) requires a second miracle after beatification, though the pope can waive these requirements. Martyrs do not need a miracle for beatification, but one is necessary for canonization. The title of Saint is bestowed upon individuals who have been officially canonized by the Church, signifying their sharing of eternal life with God and making them worthy of public veneration and emulation.

St. Katherine Drexel

Katharine Drexel was beatified in 1980 and canonization in 2000 both by Pope John Paul II.

St. Josephine Bakhita

In 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized St. Bakhita, determining that she “recognized the deep truth that God, rather than man, is the true Master of every individual and every human life.”

St. Martin de Porres

St. Martin de Porres was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI on October 29, 1837, and was later canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962.