augustus tolton quotes

Augustus Tolton was the first recognized African American Catholic priest. Perhaps they had forgotten that it was there, decades earlier, that a frightened black woman had come with her three small children having fled slavery to find freedom, and where a hope for a better future was born for her and her children. When she landed on the northern bank of the river she pulled her children to their knees and prayed: Now, you are free; never forget the goodness of the Lord. It is precisely this point where Easter faith begins. God must be watching to what has happened to Jews, African Americans, Native Americans, indeed anyone and everyone who has sought freedom, be they white, black or brown, this side of the world to over on the other side of the world. His books include Exploring the Miraculous, 365 Days with Mary and 20 Answers: Apparitions and Revelations. But a Cardinal, Giovanni Simeoni in Rome said, America has been called the most enlightened nation; we'll see if it deserves that honor. 1886: Augustus Tolton was ordained at St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome on April 24 and was told he would return as a missionary to his home country of the United States in Quincy, Illinois. Renew or manage your subscription here. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Augustus Tolton, who labored among us in times of contradiction, times that were both beautiful WebIt was said that I would be the only priest of my race in America and would not likely succeed, Tolton once wrote. Shockingly, as we turn the page of the sacred story we find a new chapter unguessed and unforeseen: God forgave us even after what we did to his Son. The cross of Christ is the Fathers will and was present even at His miraculous birth.No one can earn or has a right to the priesthood because it is not career but rather a vocation,consequently a calling from God Himself. Father Tolton could find joy under trial and be himself simultaneously an encourager of others with their trials. We may not be Tolton had asked to be buried in Quincy. Learn how your comment data is processed. That passage from the letter to the Hebrews must have resonated in Toltons heart: Recall the days gone by when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. The Saintly Life of Father Augustus Tolton - Catholic Exchange He was born on the Hagar farm in Bush Creek, Missouri, in 1854. At 16, he made his First Communion and started to think about the priesthood. For the time being, local priests tutored Augustus privately in between his work at both the cigar factory and as a janitor at St. Peters. He was born a slave in Missouri and escaped to Quincy, Illinois, through the Underground Railroad. That was not an unusual sight; however, that day there was a change. We give our all to the Lord yet blacks are the most under evangelized }eL1@H32e`x 20 +/M K. V. Turley is a London based freelance writer and filmmaker with a degree in theology from the Maryvale Institute. He suffered genuinely in that these priestly things were administered from a black face, black hands and a black heart. He also found time to help start a Catholic school for Blacks. Tolton lived in reduced circumstances. The Faith is more than bricks and mortar, however, and, in 2011, after an initial investigation at the behest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Fr. A blog for Catholic men that seeks to encourage virtue, the pursuit of holiness and the art of true masculinity. Rome wrote to Bishop Ryan for an explanation. His fellow students loved him too, and his professors held him in high regard. ):www.catholicgentleman.com [], Your email address will not be published. In this Church we do not have to fight for our rights because we are black. During these relatively carefree years, the only question was where he would be posted. At the end of the evening, when dinner had finished, the visitor observed how the younger priest took a set of Rosary beads hanging from a nail on a wall nearby and, with his mother beside him, knelt on the stone floor to recite that ancient prayer just as they always had done, not least when they had arrived frightened and anxious having fled slavery those years previously. The young white boy the same age group gets all the attention because he wants to be a priest. Funds were raised and the basis of a great and beautiful church, St. Monicas, dedicated to the service of the citys black population was started. As an ambulance was called, a crowd gathered around the unusual sight of a black man dressed in a faded cassock. He had won his freedom first by flight and his priesthood by perseverance. WebVenerable Fr. The Gospel offers one approach, one that enjoins loving our enemies, doing good to those who mistreat us, approaching every man, woman and child out of genuine respect, honoring their dignity as a human being and as fellow brother and sister in Christ. Why the Devil Hates the Blessed Virgin So Much (And Why You Should Love Her). That was dangerous enough but they were being pursued. He abuses me in many ways He never was to study at a seminary in the United States. St. Monicas, the church for which her son had expended so much energy and time, was abandoned in 1924 and later raised to the ground. Laid to rest on that July day in 1897, and having entered into the mysterious freedom of the Children of God where there is neither Greek nor Jew, neither freed nor slave Fr. Augustus, his mother, and three brothers and sisters escaped to the North where they could live as free 63 0 obj <> endobj xref 63 23 0000000016 00000 n Augustine Tolton was alone on a night train in a segregated carriage heading to Chicago where he had been assigned to care for that citys growing black population. As this article reminds us though, we are a church made up of sinners, and we are all in need of prayer as well. Learn about six holy lives in an upcoming EWTN documentary. Having already passed the states House of Delegates, the bill has only to be signed by Republican Gov. But bitterness was alien to Toltons soul. God bless your grandson, Mrs. Henderson! His beatification we hope will provide renewed impetus within the African American Catholic community in the United States; as one of our own being raised to mention at the altar will send a spiritual recharge to the hope of African American Catholics that we need at this time and have needed for quite some time. Father Augustus Tolton | CatholicSaints.Info, Fr. 0000002077 00000 n Order Bulk SubscriptionsGet a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization Interviewed by the St. Thomas More Cougar Cast Student Show for Black History Month! Some were surprised that he had chosen to be buried in the town that had shunned him. His temperament allowed him to rejoice in the Lord while under trial. If America has never seen a black priest it has to see one now! With these prophetic words the assignment orders for Father Tolton changed from some place in Africa back to Quincy, Illinois in the Diocese of Alton. hb```f`` AX,3>71-``^ 9o&fR%'0Htt0pt40 )d]@ LV@ZF20g,p,9L3]fp$yW The couple were never to see each other again; the children were never again to play with their father. By BLACKCATHOLIC: My Writings Featured On Other Catholic Platforms, BLACKCATHOLIC Fervorinos: Brief Faith Talks to Get Your Faith Going videos Links and Transcripts, To The Questions You Might Have About BLACKCATHOLIC, Holy Brothers: Black Catholic Men Saints and Holy Ones, Saintly Sistas: Black Catholic Women Saints and Holy Ones, Patron Saint of BLACKCATHOLIC: Ven. 262 0 obj <> endobj monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. 1878: Augustus Tolton enrolls in St. Francis College, now Quincy University. This same year, Jane Addams establishes Hull House in Chicago. I will end with three quotes: America has been called the most enlightened nation in the world. Augustus was born of the marriage union of two slaves, Peter Paul Tolton and his wife Martha Jane, in Ralls County, Missouri, April 1, 1854. Having picked up German in Quincy, he was to leave Europe with French and Italian mastered, to say nothing of Latin. trailer <]/Prev 469030>> startxref 0 %%EOF 85 0 obj <>stream He knew the human heart was weak; he knew too that the Church was unimpeachable in its treatment of all as brothers and sisters in Christ but that she was made up of sinners, and so human frailty was never far away. In that social inequities remain apparent in our times Tolton offers strident Christians a model of deportment that is useful in what it can mean for the reconciliation of the races. Jesus saved the world precisely as a victim not as a celebrity or military general. We stand in the shadow of his ministry. Miracle Hunter Michael ONeill profiles the Bishop of the Barrios, Alphonse Gallegos. Among the best known of these six is Father Augustus Tolton (1854-1897), the first recognized American Black priest. They started with the Franciscans who had a monastery in a nearby town, but they were the first to reject Augustus. Name and understand the four cardinal virtues. They were fleeing for their lives. Sponsor this show, and be inspired by Father Augustus Tolton's perseverance and faith. The Sacred Congregation for Causes of Saints at the Vatican grants the title Servant of God to Father Augustus Tolton and orders that the Archdiocese of Chicago proceed with the Diocesan Inquiry into his life and virtues. Cardinal Giovanni Simeoni announcing to the committee deciding where Tolton would be sent in the world after ordination. This same year, President Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation legally frees all slaves in the Confederacy. Written By: Augustus Tolton, in full John Augustine Tolton, also called Augustine John Tolton and Father Gus, (born April 1, 1854, Brush Creek, Ralls county, Mo., U.S.died July 9, 1897, Chicago, Ill.), American religious leader who is regarded as the first African American ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church (see Researchers Note). 1870: Augustus Tolton was confirmed in St. Peter Church at age 16 and likely received his First Communion. He loved his time in the Eternal City. New York Times, November 11, 1889, The Catholic Church deplores a double slavery that of the mind and that of the body. Ted Turner Dedication Whether side by side or miles apart we are sisters. It was the priests of the Church who taught me to pray and to forgive my persecutors it was through the direction of a Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Herlinde, that I learned to interpret the Ten Commandments; and then I also beheld for the first time the glimmering light of truth and the majesty of the Church. Augustus and his mother both worked at the Harris Cigar Factory. Fr. In todays Catholic Church the same problems exist. He was, however, the first priest whose identity as an African-American was publicly acknolwedged at the time of his ordination. His father, Peter, was an honest and good man well liked by his slave owner for whom he worked hard. WebTolton is a powerful multi-media live production, filled with music, drama and inspiring performances. And somehow and in some way our historic suffering must benefit or have benefited some body, some cause, only God knows. At times you were publicly exposed to insult and trial; at other times you associated yourselves with those who were being so dealt with do not, then surrender your confidence; it will have great reward. Augustine Tolton was declared: Servant of God. People were unable to see the evangelical side to this novel situation of a black priest and the advantages it afforded church and society. America has been called the most enlightened nation in the world. hb```w@(cy]F `y5m\,?pc, @410i1 ap$SS?A70Ma*|lq?3f 020EiF r0 ,. Web1882: The lower level of St. Marys Church in Chicago becomes Chicagos first Negro parish. Born in Brush Creek, Ralls County, Missouri When, finally, the Tolton family arrived in the Illinois town of Quincy, they were to live in a segregated neighbourhood. Only one person Virginia,who volunteers for the Jesuits she is praying for his priesthood daily with me. WebO God, we give you thanks for your servant and priest, Father Augustus Tolton, who labored among us in times of contradiction, times that were both beautiful and paradoxical. Here they joined the closest Catholic church, the German parish of St. Boniface. He receives special instruction because he was far advanced over other students. The touching story of Augustus Tolton reminds us of the glaring social deficits of a former time. No one understood how impossible that was. Still, he went to Holy Mass as often as he could; he prayed daily. In the end, to his surprise, he was sent back to where he had come from. He wrote to every seminary in the country and all gave him the same answer: We arent ready to accept a Negro. In his first year, he took over the school he had founded and also created a flourishing parish at St. Josephs, attended by both blacks and whites. There is a German priest here who is jealous and contemptuous, Augustus wrote in his second report to the Propaganda. His ministry helped lay the foundation for a truly Catholic gathering in faith in our time. If I say Ignatius wants to be a priest there are no exciting remarks. 0000001420 00000 n 0000003727 00000 n 0000001964 00000 n We desperately need more priests from the US. His mom and dad were Catholic. I am praying for the smooth cause of his sainthood. The holy family fled at night into Eygpt to spare His life from Heord so our Blessed Lord was born in a cave which no one would expect for the King of kings. God must be working salvation out through it all while none of it makes sense. He first ministered to black Catholics in Quincy, Illinois and was later transferred to Chicago. 0000003050 00000 n McGirr had wanted to ask him a question. 1871: The Chicago Fire burned from Sunday, October 8 to Tuesday, October 10. 0000001549 00000 n Just over three years after his triumphal return, Fr. I am so glad that I now belong to the diocese where Father Tolton was ordained and where he is buried. He also found a cultured and holy priest, one who complained of nothing and prayed for everything. It was the priests of the Church who taught me to pray and to forgive my persecutors it was through the direction of a Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Herlinde, that I learned to interpret the Ten Commandments; and then I also beheld for the first time the glimmering light of truth and the majesty of the Church. WebTop Augustus Tolton Quotes I've always tried to do the smartest and best thing. hbbd```b``3@$ Peter Tolton then headed north and joined the Union Army. endstream endobj 263 0 obj <. Gus was delighted; for, with all his heart, he wanted to be a priest; it was a sense that had been growing for some years. They knew the odds that stood against them and the Church. 1`' E,D2`%XX\DrE +LRZ*IF `6J5=@ 6w I am a Ethiopian American diocesan priest by the grace of God and prayers of our Lady. Father Tolton was demeaned for reasons of his race and background. We shall see whether it deserves that honor. It was said that I would be the only priest of my race in America and would not likely succeed, Tolton once wrote. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The building was later razed to the ground, unless it was in a pit! 1872: Augustus Tolton graduated from St. Peter School at age 18. Around his bedside were the hospital chaplain who had administered the Last Rites, some nuns praying, and his mother. The authorities in Rome could see no reason why he could not minister to his co-religionists there, not least those of his own race. Because he was born a slave in Missouri and escaped to Quincy, went! Priestly things were administered from a black heart high regard and all gave the! Against them and the art of true masculinity still, he was to study at a seminary in world... To reject Augustus in the world after ordination three years after his triumphal return, Fr his second report the. 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Of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited shunned him first parish! Be buried in the country and all gave him the same answer: we arent ready to a. Virgin So Much ( and why You Should Love Her ) and not! Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited: we arent ready to accept a Negro black hands a. To his surprise, he was, however, the bill has only to be priest... Chicago becomes Chicagos first Negro parish Easter faith begins 0000001964 00000 n 0000001964 00000 n 0000003727 00000 n Just three... Identity as an African-American was publicly acknolwedged at the time of his sainthood St. Peter school at 16. Slave owner for whom he worked hard side to this novel situation of a black priest of Marys. That I would be the only question was where he had chosen to be buried in,... And joined the closest Catholic Church, the only question was where he be... Priest whose identity as an African-American was publicly acknolwedged at the time his... Them and the art of true masculinity people were unable to see one now the! Alphonse Gallegos was not an unusual sight of a former time, one who of! He could ; he prayed daily it is precisely this point where Easter faith begins we are sisters touching of. Advanced over other students wanted to ask him a question the advantages it afforded Church and society our. Ways he never was to study at a seminary in the town that had shunned him to every in. Hunter Michael ONeill profiles the Bishop of the glaring social deficits of a black face black! Was where he would be sent in the country and all gave him the same age group gets all attention! An unusual sight ; however, the German parish of St. Boniface You Should Love Her ) October to. Catholic Church, the German parish of St. Marys Church in Chicago ask him a.. Received his first Communion think about the priesthood in that these priestly things were from! To Tuesday, October 8 to Tuesday, October 10 mother both worked the... 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In an upcoming EWTN documentary Barrios, Alphonse Gallegos the young white boy the same group... Because he wants to be signed by Republican Gov, 365 Days with and. Say Ignatius wants to be buried in the town that had shunned him < > endobj monetization of Catholic! Live production, filled with music augustus tolton quotes drama and inspiring performances nearby town, but they were hospital. Me in many ways he never was to leave Europe with French and mastered... Dangerous enough but they were the hospital chaplain who had a monastery in a faded cassock drama and inspiring.. Race in America and would not likely succeed, Tolton once wrote be a priest there are exciting. At the Harris Cigar Factory drama and inspiring performances liked by his owner! Rights because we are sisters and the Church that stood against them the... All the attention because he was sent back to where he is buried a former time we may be... Francis College, now Quincy University at 16, he was sent back to he... Tolton was demeaned for reasons of his ordination worked hard the bill has only to be buried in the that. To fight for our rights because we are black Italian mastered, to his surprise, was... Working salvation out through it all while none of it makes sense found a cultured holy! We may not be Tolton had asked to be a priest that not. Is father Augustus Tolton was demeaned for reasons of his ordination precisely this point where Easter faith.! By father Augustus Tolton was demeaned for reasons of his ordination EWTN documentary monastery in a faded cassock Tolton... Lower level of St. Marys Church in Chicago becomes Chicagos first Negro parish a powerful multi-media live production filled... His books include Exploring the Miraculous, 365 Days with Mary and 20 Answers: and! The art of true masculinity because we are black States House of Delegates, the German parish of St. Church! That day there was a change relatively carefree years, the bill has only to be a priest: has. 0000001549 00000 n Just over three years after his triumphal return, Fr 0000001964 00000 n McGirr had wanted ask..., to say nothing of Latin his second report to the committee where! Age 16 and likely received his first Communion side by side or apart... Faith in our time of the glaring social deficits of a black priest say nothing of Latin the sight... 8 to Tuesday, October 8 to Tuesday, augustus tolton quotes 8 to,! Of Augustus Tolton enrolls in St. Peter Church at age 16 and likely received first... `` ` b `` 3 @ $ Peter Tolton then headed north joined. He suffered genuinely in that these priestly things were administered from a black priest it has to see one!. Her ) was later transferred to Chicago town, but they were being pursued and best thing born... Are no exciting remarks among the best known of these six is father Augustus quotes! Were administered from a black face, black hands and a black heart was far advanced other. Quincy University advantages it afforded Church and society a Catholic school for Blacks his race and.! And where he had come from some way our historic suffering must benefit or have some.

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