Celebrating Black Catholic Figures During Black History Month
Faith compels us to serve those in need. Charitable giving, spreading the Lord’s word, and volunteerism all benefit the world in different ways. Some of the greatest examples of this kind of giving are Black saints and faith leaders, many of whom help others while facing adversity themselves. In honor of Black History Month, our Titusville Catholic school looks back to Black Catholic leaders who worked to improve the world around them and the Church itself.
Pierre Toussaint
As the first Haitian-American man canonized as a saint in the United States, Toussaint overcame adversity to make the world a better place. Toussaint came to New York as a slave; his owner and his owner's wife put him to work as a hairdresser. When his owner died, Toussaint supported his widow, who eventually freed him. Later in life, he married a wealthy woman and used his newfound wealth to support charitable causes, mainly those that fought against religious and racial prejudice.
St. Augustine of Hippo
The son of St. Monica lived a life full of parties and worldly ambitions before becoming Catholic. St. Augustine believed he wasn’t worthy of the Catholic faith due to his sinful past, but those around him, including his mother, encouraged him to convert. Upon reading the Letters of St. Paul, he saw that he could put away his impurity and live a holy life. Soon after, he was baptized and went on to become a priest, a bishop, a famous Catholic writer and a saint. On the wall of his room were the words “Here we do not speak evil of anyone.”
St. Martin de Porres
Born in Lima, Peru, to a Spanish nobleman and a former slave, St. Martin de Porres became the patron saint of mixed race people, innkeepers, barbers, public health workers and more. Porres’s father abandoned the family, leaving him, his mother and his younger sister in poverty. He trained in medicine and barbering, skills he used to benefit the poor. Due to his mixed-race heritage, he was ridiculed throughout his life and not allowed to be a full member of a religious order. Despite this, he joined the Dominican Order and dedicated his life to helping those in need. Everyone was welcome in his home, whether rich or poor. He became canonized well after his death during the Civil Rights movement.
Charles Randolph Uncles
Uncles, the son of a railroad worker and a hairdresser, made headlines around the United States when he was ordained in 1891. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore at a time when segregation was still the norm both inside and outside of the Church. After his ordination, he helped to found the St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart, an organization whose main mission was to evangelize African Americans.
Sister Thea Bowman
As a Methodist child, Bowman saw value in becoming Catholic, converting to the Catholic faith at only 9 years old. She went on to become the first African American to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Then, after 16 years of teaching, she worked as a special consultant for the Catholic Church. She gave presentations about race and cultural divisions around the country for several years, including the last six years of her life during a battle with bone cancer. Bowman died at age 53, shortly after preaching for the last time from her wheelchair. Much like her peers, she did not let anything get in her way.
These Black Catholic saints and figures overcame adversity to live inspirational lives. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a Titusville Catholic school, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop to their full potential. Students foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and are equipped for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.