What our Black saints can teach us

He was born a slave.

Not one seminary in the United States would accept him. He had to study for the priesthood in Italy.

But he died a priest and might someday be canonized.

The story of Father Augustus Tolton was just one of many stories shared by archdiocesan Catholics ahead of Black Catholic History Month, which began Nov. 1.

Established in 1990, this special month was the idea of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus to recognize the contributions people of color have made to the Catholic Church. The first celebration commemorated the 350th anniversary of the death of St. Martin de Porres, patron saint of those of mixed races and those suffering from discrimination.  Read on….