Fr. Augustus Tolton's Cause for Sainthood Moves Ahead

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." --Harriet Tubman

When his family escaped slavery during the Civil War, Augustus Tolton, then just a child, did not yet know what his dream would be. And today, more than a century after his death, Fr. Tolton is on the road to canonization. February is dedicated as Black History Month, honoring the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history, including the civil rights movement and their artistic, cultural and political achievements. Read more about the origins of Black History Month here. Fr. Augustus Tolton, who became the first African American priest in the United States, is a distinguished part of this American history.

This week, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced that a Vatican committee has unanimously voted to send the sainthood cause of Father Augustus Tolton to the next stage. His cause will now be presented to the Ordinary Meeting of Cardinals and Archbishops; the members will take a final vote before presenting a Decree of Heroic Virtues to Pope Francis for approval. Read Fr. Tolton's captivating story here, and also read the keynote address given by Bishop Perry, Postulator for the Diocesan Phase of the Cause for Sanctity of Father Augustus Tolton, at the 2018 Annual Assembly.