June Honors Black Religious

Juneteenth, which is celebrated June 19, is a time for African Americans to visit the past, to learn where they have come from and find inner freedom by embracing God’s call to become the people God called them to be, say clergy of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day, celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. It commemorates the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that enslaved Black people were free by executive order. 

“Juneteenth is one of the most important holidays in American history. On this day, we celebrate the liberation of Black people from the legal institution of slavery in the United States,” said Father Joshua Johnson, director of the Office of Vocations for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

“Calling to mind this event is a reminder of where we were as a nation and how far we have come,” he added. “We certainly still have a long way to go as a country, but we can celebrate the progress we have made up to this point in our walk toward eternity.” 

Father Johnson added the celebration also reminds people of the many Black Catholics who persevered in their relationship with Jesus Christ and the church in the midst of direct racist policies and practices like slavery, Jim Crow laws, redlining and the homestead act. 

He pointed out that some of these Black Catholics are on the path to becoming canonized saints, including Servant of God Julia Greeley, Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange OSP, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, Venerable Mother Henriette Delille and Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman FSPA. 
 

African men and women on the path to sainthood:

Servant of God Julia Greeley (Birth day believed to be between 1833 and 1848 – 1918)was freed by Missouri’s Emancipation Act in 1865 and subsequently earned her keep by serving white families in Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. She died on June 7, 1918 and as part of the Cause for Canonization, Sister Julia’s mortal remains were transferred to Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on June 7, 2017.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint  (1776-1853), whose birth and death dates were both in June, was a philanthropist and founder of many Catholic charitable works. Born a slave in Haiti, he was brought to New York City as an apprentice under a popular hairstylist in the city. 

Venerable Mother Henriette Delille SSF, (1812-1862) founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family, was born in New Orleans, where she lived her entire life. For the love of Jesus and responding to the Gospel’s mandate, she was determined to help those in need. Rome gave permission for her canonization process to begin in June 1988. 

Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange OSP (1784-1882) was a native of the Caribbean and believed to be Cuban, born of Haitian descent. She was the foundress 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. Mother Lange began  her novitiate on June 13, 1828.

Venerable Father Augustus Tolton (1854-1897) was the first U.S. Catholic priest publicly known to be Black when he was ordained in 1886. Pope Francis declared Father Tolton venerable on June 12, 2019.

Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman FSPA (1937-1990) lived her faith vibrantly and spoke about the experiences of Black Catholics during her lifetime. Many people considered her a religious sister undeniably close to God and who lovingly invited others to encounter the presence of God in their lives. Sister Thea was baptized June 8, 1947 and is well known for the talk she gave to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on June 19, 1989 at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey.

“The witness of these Black men and women should inspire all Catholics to persevere in our faith when we suffer and are persecuted because of unjust laws in our nation,” said Father Johnson.

Deacon Alfred Adams, director of the Office of Black Catholics of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, reflected on how the saints lived a life of spiritual freedom and model how everyone is called to become saints by sharing their gifts and talents.

“They lived the lives God called them to live and they let nothing stop them,” said Deacon Adams. “When you have gifts and talents, use it. When you have walls or obstacles look beyond them and move forward.”

Speaking of Sister Thea, he noted that she used her talents by listening to  the stories of the  “old folks” and then shared the stories, traditions and songs in vibrant presentations so people would know about the experiences of African Americans in society and the church.

One of Deacon Adams’ favorite mantras of Sister Thea was one she learned from  her religious community: “If you get, give – if you learn  teach.”

Deacon Adams said he similarly tries to teach people to “use your gifts and talents so they won’t be wasted.”

He learned this from his mother, who taught him “you are blessed, you are special. Don’t let that peace and joy go.” 

He passes these words of affirmation to his own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, that they are beautiful, they are smart and they are loved.

As Juneteenth approaches he extends this to all African Americans, who by discovering their own gifts and talents, are called forth in mission to change the world.

“That’s what I want to give away,” said Adams.