Black Catholic history in the United States dates back to the 1500s, when blacks were baptized at St. Augustine Church, Fla., America’s first Catholic parish. The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month in 1990. This is a time to recognize and celebrate the history and incredible heritage of Black Catholics. Black Catholic history has continued and thrived in the United States through the powerful and instrumental work of many Black men and women.
Servant of God Thea Bowman Through her education at Catholic school, Servant of God Thea Bowman converted to Catholicism at age 9; six years later, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Bowman was the only Black sister in the community. She became an instrumental voice against racism, working in Black Catholic ministry and explaining the beauty of African- American Catholic spirituality.
Servant of God Julia Greeley Born into slavery, Servant of God Julia Greeley, was freed in 1865 and moved to Denver, where she converted to Catholicism. Greeley lived simply and begged on the streets to help provide for the poor. At night, she would walk through the city with her signature little red wagon offering provisions for the poor.
Servant of God Mary Elizabeth Lange Servant of God Mary Lange devoted her life to Christ and to educating Black children. She began a school for freed Black children in Baltimore before Blacks were allowed to attend public school. Later, she founded the order of Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first American order for women of color, which focused on educating Black children but also cared for the elderly and aided to the needs of the community.
Venerable Henriette DeLille After denying her mother’s wish for her to be a concubine, Venerable Henriette DeLille devoted her life to Christ, forming a religious order of women of color dedicated to serving the poor. Despite much opposition from state officials who opposed a religious order of Black women, her small group eventually became the Sisters of the Holy Family.
Venerable Augustus Tolton Venerable Augustus Tolton and his family escaped slavery by finding their way to Illinois, where Tolton discerned his call to the priesthood. Despite the racism he endured from fellow Catholics and being rejected by every American seminary because of his race, Tolton was eventually accepted at a seminary in Rome. Once ordained, he was sent back to the United States where he faced continuous prejudice from clergy and laity until dying at the age of 43.
Venerable Pierre Toussaint Venerable Pierre Toussaint’s journey with Catholicism began when his master granted him access to the family library, where he found and read The Imitation of Christ so frequently he had it memorized, quoting it frequently. Toussaint was so devoted to his master that even after his death he continued working to support his widow. As a free man, Toussaint remained devoted to serving others, working into old age to help others by paying for the freedom of slaves, supporting Catholic Orphan Asylum and, with his wife, raising several homeless Black children. For additional information check out the diocesan ad hoc committee against racism’s list of resources: diokzoo.org/racism.