DAY 21: Black History Month In the Catholic Church

     A little bit off the beaten path, but this book is surely one to put on the book shelves alongside the other books mentioned in previous posts.   It can pretty much be a fair bet that most people have not heard of this person's name or know what famous "first" he has achieved.  It is even safer to say the most Catholic, which was the faith he practiced, do not know of him either.   This particular book was chosen because of the deep Christian spirituality that existed among the slaves.  However,  many consider the Catholic Church  as being a religion predominately "white" but that is not the case.  As we will see in the case of Father Augustine Tolton.  The first recognized African American Catholic Priest.  His story is riveting  as it is told by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers.  The title of the book is simply titled, Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African-American Priest. 

    Father Augustine Tolton's story is filled with challenging moments and moments of great faith.  He was born into slavery,  lived in abject over and was denied acceptance in to every Catholic Seminary in America.  Yet he preserved to become the first Black American priest.  It would seem that for everything that Father Tolton had to endure, God was using him to spread the news of the freedom of from Sin if we give our lives to God's Holy will.   He   demonstrated the richness, beauty and truth of the Catholic Faith everyday of his life.  Fr Tolton was not blinded by the racial hatred that existed in the South or  the politics of the day.  In every sense of the word, he was a  Shepard for his flock.  Guiding them to find their way home in the American Catholic Church.  

    Father Tolton gospel message was not only for African Americans but for every person, of every race,  no matter where they were in life.   Rich, poor,  young or old, everyone is in need of freeing themselves from the slavery to sin and finding Freedom with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.   Father Tolton's  examples of humility and holiness still speak to us today in profound ways that are difficult to measure.  

    This book is a quick read,  about thirty pages shy of two hundred pages.   For the avid reader,  the book can take a weekend to finish.  However,  with great caution try not to  read it so quickly.  Deacon Burke-Sivers love for this soon to be saint and the Catholic Church comes through each page.  If you read through the book too quickly,  there is a risk the reader misses out on the timeless messages of sacrifice, perseverance and love of God and his church. It is much better to be drawn in by the author's voice and get lost in the pages.   One need not be a Catholic to enjoy the story.  However,  it is safe to say that every Catholic should read this book. This story is truly a hidden gem that needs to be shared with every Catholic.  Whether,  Catholic or not, after reading this book, readers may experience a strong desire to learn more about this holy Priest.