During this Black History Month, we are reminded of the Black Saints in our own Catholic history. How many saints of African descent are you aware of? Well, there are probably more than you know. Below are three more recently canonized black saints, as well as some persons who are on their way to sainthood.
St. Charles Liwanga (1860-1886)
St. Charles Lwanga is a martyr and saint. He is one of 22 Ugandan martyrs. He defended his young adult companions against the immoral demands of the Bugandan king, and instructed them in their Catholic faith. He is the patron saint of African Catholic Youth Action, converts, and torture victims. The Church celebrates his feast on June 3.
St. Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947)
St. Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Sudan at age 7. She was brought to Italy, where she became a babysitter. She eventually felt drawn to the Catholic Church. Her captors wanted to take her back to Sudan, but she refused. Slavery was illegal in Italy, so a court ruled her free. She later joined the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa religious community. She is the patron saint of Sudan and human trafficking survivors. The Church celebrates her feast day on February 8.
Saint Kitzito (1872 – 1876)
St. Kizito was the youngest of the 22 Ugandan martyrs. King Mwanga II of Buganda tortured him to death at age 13 after learning he was Christian. As he was dying, he recited the ‘Our Father.’ His last words were, “Goodbye my friends, we are on the right path.” St. Kizito’s feast day is June 3. He is the patron saint of children and primary schools.
We are also reminded of men and women of African descent who are declared Servants of God and Venerable in the process of canonization.
Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1776-1853)
Venerable Pierre Toussaint, a philanthropist and founder of many Catholic charitable works, was born a slave in Haiti and brought from Haiti to New York as an apprentice under a popular hairstylist in the city. He eventually became the most sought-after hairdresser of high society women. He succeeded in becoming one of the country’s first black entrepreneurs. He became quite wealthy, but instead of spending lavishly on himself, he supported the Church and the poor. Toussaint would risk his life to help others by nursing the sick and praying with the dying. “I have never felt I am a slave to any man or woman but I am a servant of Almighty God who made us all. When one of his children is in need, I am glad to be His slave.”
Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange (1784-1882)
Servant of God Mother Mary Lange was a native of the Caribbean and believed to be Cuban born of Haitian descent. She was the founder and first Superior General of the Oblate Sisters of Providence (1829-1832), the first religious congregation of African American women in the history of the Catholic Church; their goal was to evangelize African Americans. They nursed the terminally ill during the cholera epidemic of 1832, sheltered the elderly, and served as domestics at St. Mary’s Seminary. Mother Mary Lange practiced faith to an extraordinary degree. It was her deep faith – in close union with Jesus – which enabled her to persevere against all odds.
Venerable Henriette Delille (1813-1863)
Venerable Henriette Delille was born in New Orleans, where she would live her entire life. For the love of Jesus and responding to the Gospel’s mandate, she was determined to help those in need. Henriette was also a person who suffered as she made her way through life, and she bore many crosses. She taught those around her that sanctity can be attained in following the path of Jesus. In 1842, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family. Henriette died 20 years later, on Nov. 17, 1862. Her funeral was held at St. Augustine Church. Her obituary stated, “Miss Henriette Delille had for long years consecrated herself totally to God without reservation to the instruction of the ignorant and principally to the slave."
Venerable Rev. Augustus Tolton (1854-1897)
Venerable Augustus Tolton was the first U.S. Roman Catholic Black priest publicly ordained in 1886. A former slave who was baptized and reared Catholic, Tolton formally studied in Rome. He was ordained in Rome on Easter Sunday at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Fr. Tolton led the development and construction of St. Monica’s Catholic Church as a Black “National Parish Church,” which was completed in 1893. Tolton’s success at ministering to Black Catholics quickly earned him national attention within the Catholic hierarchy. “Good Father Gus,” as many called him, was known for his eloquent sermons, his beautiful singing voice, and his talent for playing the accordion. He is the subject of the 1973 biography “From Slave to Priest” by Sister Caroline Hemesath.
Sources: Information for this article was gathered from Catholic News Agency and ChurchPOP.
By Deacon Ben LoCasto