Spring 2018 Official organization for the promotion of the cause of of Father Augustus Tolton Father Tolton Guild

Cause receives positive news from Vatican The canonization cause of Augustus Tolton received import- ant approval from the Vatican’s histor- ical consultants in March, moving the cause forward. Tolton, a former slave, is the first recognized American diocesan priest of African descent. Cardinal opened his cause for canoniza- tion in 2011. On March 8, the consultants in ruled that the (equivalent to a doctoral dissertation on a person’s life) is acceptable and the research on Tolton’s life is finished, said Auxiliary Bishop Perry, postulator for Tolton’s cause.

The fact that the historical Cardinal Francis George signs the final documents in the dossier for Father consultants approved Tolton’s cause during a prayer service at the Archbishop Quigley Center in Chi- the positio unanimously cago on Sept. 29, 2014. (Karen Callaway/ Catholic) is a positive sign, ization. Approved miracles through icans basically had no status in the Bishop Perry said. Tolton’s intercession are needed for church to be considered at that time. him to be beatified and canonized. Some people didn’t think we had “They have a story on a life that they In rare cases, have waived souls. They were hardly poised to deem is credible, properly document- the requirement for a second miracle recommend someone to be a ,” ed. It bodes well for the remaining and approved a canonization. This Bishop Perry said. “And then in those steps of scrutiny — those remaining happened most recently when days there were hardly any from steps being the theological commis- Francis approved the sainthood of the proposed.” sion that will make a final determi- Pope John XXIII without a second The fact that the historical consul- nation on his virtues. Then it goes to miracle in 2014. tants approved the positio unanimous- the cardinals and archbishops who Six historical consultants ruled unan- ly is a positive sign, he said. are assigned to the Congregation for imously on the Tolton positio, com- The cause is scheduled to go before the Causes of Saints,” Bishop Perry piled by a team in Rome led by Andrea the theological commission in Febru- explained. “Once they approve it then Ambrosi, based on hundreds of pages ary 2019. the prefect of that congregation takes of research completed in Chicago. Two miracles through Tolton’s inter- the case to the pope.” While working on the document, cession have been sent to Rome. If the pope approves it, Tolton would Ambrosi’s team asked Bishop Perry “We’re hoping and our fingers are be named venerable, the next step why it took so long to open a cause for crossed and we’re praying that at least on the way to canonization. The last Tolton, who died in 1897. one of them might be acceptable for two steps are and canon- “We told them that African Amer- his beatification,” Bishop Perry said. Spring 2018

People of interest in Tolton’s life How do people n RYAN, Bishop James thought that he would be sent to Bishop of the Diocese of Al- Africa as a missionary priest. react to his ton in Illinois (now Springfield) The day before his priestly 1888-1923; ordained a priest , Cardinal Simeoni life story? changed those assignment or- 1871; consecrated a bishop May Since the cause began, Bishop Joseph 1, 1888; died July 2, 1923. ders telling Tolton that if it was Perry and his team have given more than He was the bishop who repri- true that the United States was 130 presentations on Father Tolton around manded Father Tolton for min- the most enlightened country the country. istering to white people in his on earth, as it was thought, the They also have received inquiries about parish of St Joseph, Quincy, Il- country should be able to receive Tolton from the faithful in countries such as linois, upon repeated complaints a black priest. So, the Cardinal the Philippines, Germany, Australia, Italy of the area , Father told Tolton that he should return and France, and countries in Africa. Weiss. to his diocese of Alton In Illi- People receive Tolton’s story well, Bishop Bishop Ryan ultimately told nois. Perry told the Chicago Catholic in a recent Father Tolton to look elsewhere Cardinal Simeoni died Jan. 14, interview. “There’s also the element of surprise — to work as a priest after answer- 1892 at 75. surprise in the story that people register. ing an inquiry of the Propaganda People always presume that we had black Fide in Rome inquiring into the n SLATTERY, Father priests. There’s an element of surprise at situation. Bishop Ryan answered Joseph how the church handled some of these the inquiry indicating that Father This Mill (Josephite priest) more naughty issues of reception and ac- Tolton was a good priest in ev- was a pen pal with Father Tolton. ceptance,” he said. “They thought that this ery way but was guilty of cre- Several letters Father Tolton was pretty usual but they were surprised ating a social situation that was wrote to him are found in the to see that there were certain individuals unacceptable. Acts of who were not so receptive to a person like the Cause Tolton and others.” n SIMEONI, Cardinal wherein Giovanni Tolton de- “There’s also the element Born July 12 1816; ordained a scribed his of surprise — surprise in the priest 1839; consecrated a bish- struggles story that people register. op April 4 1875, and created a establish- People always presume cardinal the same year. ing some He was a professor of philos- semblance that we had black priests,” ophy and theology at the Urban of a Cath- Bishop Perry said. Photo: Josephite Athanaeum of the Propaganda Archives olic church Fide in Rome and held sever- among Tolton did not speak out publicly against al other prestigious posts at the blacks in Quincy and in Chica- the racist abuse he encountered from his Holy See including Vatican sec- go. He also shared his dreams fellow Catholics. Rather, throughout his retary of state. for a better society and Catho- ministry, he preached that the Catholic He took an interest in Augus- lic Church that would establish Church was the only true liberator of blacks tus Tolton; was prefect of the a better situation for post-Civil in America. Propaganda Fide during Tolton’s War-post-Emmancipation and “I think people generally are touched by seminary training in Rome. It post-Reconstruction era blacks. his story, especially regarding his stamina was rumored that since Tolton and perseverance given what appears to could not be a success in the This is part of a series intro- be a different mood today. People don’t accept stuff thrown in their faces any- United States because of his ducing people of importance in more,” Bishop Perry said. background and race, it was Tolton’s life. www.toltoncanonization.org

Tolton’s life told through play ‘From Slave to Priest’ Father Tolton’s story is now im- mortalized on stage with the new play “Tolton: From Slave to Priest,” produced by St. Luke Productions from Battle Ground, Washington. The 90-minute, one-person play that premiered Nov. 5, 2017 at DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago. For over 30 years, St. Luke Produc- tions has produced other plays about holy men and women, including St. Faustina, St. and St. John Vianney. Leonardo Defilippis, president and founder of St. Luke Productions, first learned of Tolton from a priest in the Diocese of Springfield, which includes the town of Quincy where Tolton served and is buried. Defilippis researched Tolton’s life Actors portray Father Tolton and Martha Tolton in the play “Tolton: From Slave and hung a photo of him in his office. to Priest,” duirng its premiere Nov. 5, 2017, at DuSable Museum of African When deciding which play he would American History in Chicago. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic) produce next, he noticed the photo again and started praying to Tolton. Defilippis has created a “very unique harsh realities Tolton faced, such as se- Defilippis said he felt the Holy Spir- art form” that makes it easy for groups vere prejudice against him from fellow it was asking him to make a play of anywhere to host the play because of priests in Quincy. The post-Recon- Tolton’s life. the simple setup. struction period was a troubled time Once decided, the producer reached When writing the script, Defilippis, for the United States, and tensions out to Cardinal George, who opened who co-wrote the play with his wife, and violence were real. Tolton himself Tolton’s cause for canonization during pulled from themes in Tolton’s life — often spoke of being watched. the Year of the Priest. Cardinal George perseverance, trust in God, incredible Defilippis believes that telling directed him to Auxiliary Bishop forgiveness and his priesthood. Tolton’s story through art is a way to Joseph Perry, postulator of Tolton’s Defilippis believes the time Tolton bring light into today’s seemingly dark cause. Defilippis said he and his team spent studying for the priesthood in world. worked closely with Bishop Perry on Rome opened him up to the universal- “The highest form of art is when the play. ity of a priest’s ministry. He studied you not only entertain and inspire, but “It’s exciting to do something in with men from all over the world and bring it to another level, of what we complete conjunction with the canon- saw the church’s history in places like call evangelization of what actually ization process. It’s a tool that can be the catacombs, the Coliseum and St. touches hearts in a deep and impactful used for this,” he said. “It’s one of the Peter’s Basilica. way that actually changes lives,” he most unique shows right now in the- “Once he becomes a priest he’s a said. “That’s what we’ve seen with ater because it’s a multi-media show, priest for all. This is not a segregated these plays.” which means you have characters on a situation, it’s not a segregated mind- screen that are interacting with a live set,” Defilippis said. For more about the play, visit st- actor.” The play doesn’t shy away from the lukeproductions.com. Spring 2018

Archdiocese of Chicago Cardinal Meyer Center 3525 S. Lake Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60653 312.534.8367 www.toltoncanonization.org

St. Peter Church in Brush Creek, Save the dates , the his- torical site of Father Pilgrimage Tolton’s is part of the Sep- from Chicago tember tour. (Karen Sept. 28-29, 2018 Callaway/Chicago Visit sites in Brush Creek, Missou- Catholic) ri, and Quincy, Illinois, important in Father Tolton’s life Annual Tolton Gala Oct. 21, 2018 Navy Pier, Chicago

Call 312.534.8367 for more details on both events.