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FATHER AUGUSTUS TOLTON |
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Augustus Tolton was born a slave on a Missouri farm in 1854. His mother risked everything to reach freedom in Illinois with her three small children, escaping across the Mississippi River by night in a boat that she rowed herself. After settling in the town of Quincy, IL, the family continued to experience hardships and persecution. As a child, Young Gus, as he was called, was sent away from the local Catholic school because of the color of his skin.
Despite segregation from the church, Augustine felt a deep vocation to become a Catholic priest. He applied for seminary. Their response? “We’re not ready for a colored priest.”
Augustus did not give up. He was finally ordained in Rome. Upon his return to Illinois, he worked tirelessly to serve people of all races, especially the former slaves who flocked to Chicago.
Fr. Tolton saw the Catholic Church as the answer to the discrimination and rejection that he experienced in his own life. “It was the priests of the Church who taught me to pray and to forgive my persecutors," he said. “We should welcome all people into the Church, not send them away.”
At the young age of 43, Fr. Tolton collapsed from heat exhaustion on the streets of Chicago and died a few hours later.
His cause for sainthood is moving forward, as more and more people are beginning to recognize the humble perseverance, determination and compassion of this extraordinary man.
"Fr. Tolton's life continues to remind all the faithful what God can accomplish through the lives of those who remain faithful to His call. What might have remained a story of despair, has now become a testament to the power of forgiveness, mercy and reconciliation." -Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
To learn more about Father Augustus Tolton's cause for canonization, visit www.toltoncanonization.org or download this study guide.
Despite segregation from the church, Augustine felt a deep vocation to become a Catholic priest. He applied for seminary. Their response? “We’re not ready for a colored priest.”
Augustus did not give up. He was finally ordained in Rome. Upon his return to Illinois, he worked tirelessly to serve people of all races, especially the former slaves who flocked to Chicago.
Fr. Tolton saw the Catholic Church as the answer to the discrimination and rejection that he experienced in his own life. “It was the priests of the Church who taught me to pray and to forgive my persecutors," he said. “We should welcome all people into the Church, not send them away.”
At the young age of 43, Fr. Tolton collapsed from heat exhaustion on the streets of Chicago and died a few hours later.
His cause for sainthood is moving forward, as more and more people are beginning to recognize the humble perseverance, determination and compassion of this extraordinary man.
"Fr. Tolton's life continues to remind all the faithful what God can accomplish through the lives of those who remain faithful to His call. What might have remained a story of despair, has now become a testament to the power of forgiveness, mercy and reconciliation." -Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
To learn more about Father Augustus Tolton's cause for canonization, visit www.toltoncanonization.org or download this study guide.