Fr. Augustus Tolton
Venerable
24 X 30 - acrylic on canvas
When reading the book, From Slave to Priest, I was especially inspired by his mother's strength and her faith in God. After having gone for days without food, traveling many miles with her three children to reach the Mississippi River, crossing the river in a rowboat, under gunfire from Confederate soldiers, having reached Illinois, she took each of her children out of the small boat and kneeling on the ground, she gathered her children into her arms with tears streaming down her face and said,
"Now you are free. Never, never forget the goodness of the Lord."
--From Slave to Priest
My Inspiration: In spite of the racism and hardships Fr. Augustus Tolton endured, he continued to pick up his cross and followed Jesus.
Beginnings: Born into slavery April 1, 1854, Augustus Tolton was baptized and raised in the Catholic faith.
In 1862, along with his mother and two siblings, he escaped into Illinois from slavery. His father had escaped some time earlier to fight with Union forces, but died shortly thereafter.
The Priesthood: For years, Augustus wanted to be a priest, but no Catholic seminary in the U.S. would accept him because he was a black man. However, in 1880, he was accepted into the Pontifical seminary for missionaries in Rome. In 1886, he was ordained at the Brasilia of St. John Lateran and where he celebrated his first mass before returning to the U.S. to be the first known African American Catholic priest.
Many people, black and white, came to listen to Pastor, Fr. Augustus Tolton and experience the masses he celebrated at his parish in Quincy, Illinois. He was a sincere and caring man, a gifted preacher with a beautiful singing voice. All these qualities combined with the training he had received during his years in seminary in Rome made him an exceptional priest.
Sadly, it seems Fr. Augustus was so talented that he met with opposition from a nearby parish priest who discouraged people from attending Fr. Tolton's masses. Ultimately Fr. Tolton had to move to another diocese where he was gladly welcomed to serve the black community. He worked tirelessly, caring for the people there. He was responsible for creating the first Black Catholic church on the south side of Chicago, St. Monica's Parish.
His Death: Unfortunately, Good Father Gus, as he was affectionately known, overworked and exhausted from his many duties, collapsed on the street in the July heat of 105 degrees. He was immediately taken to Mercy Hospital. At only 43 years old, Fr. Tolton died a few hours later with his dear mother, sister and several Sisters of Mercy at his side.
The whole city of Chicago was shocked and saddened. Thousands filed through St. Monica's Church to pay their respects. Hundreds attended his funeral, too many to fit into the church so they gathered outside. Fr. Tolton had always wanted to be buried in Quincy where he grew up. It was there at his old parish, St. Joseph's Church, another funeral mass was said, again with so many people in attendance they couldn't fit into the church. It is in the church's cemetery that he is buried. See the Knights of Columbus web page.
Sainthood - Archdiocese of Chicago:
Father Tolton was elevated to "Venerable" by Pope Francis in his Cause for Canonization on June 12, 2019. Be sure to read the complete story by Bishop Joseph N. Perry, Postulator, Archdiocese of Chicago.
About the painting: Fr. Tolton is depicted in the traditional vestment worn by a graduate of the Pontifical seminary in Rome; a black cassock with a red ribbon-like cincture and a black biretta with red tassel. He is holding his Roman Missal and giving us a blessing. The painting was on display at Exploring Sacred Paths: A Self-Guided Retreat, The Journey Continues through the Centuries at the Mercy Center Art Gallery, Burlingame.
Pictured below at the Mercy Center Art Gallery, Burlingame (April and May 2018). Also on display, a copy of the book about Fr. Tolton, From Slave to Priest (available at amazon.com). It was noted that Fr. Tolton's image hung in the Mother House of the Sisters of Mercy, blessing all who past by --- over 120 years after the Sisters of Mercy had tended to him at his death.
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