02/28/2026
In honor of Black History Month, we are celebrating our black saints and holy figures like Venerable Augustus Tolton. Born into slavery in 1854, Tolton escaped with his family to freedom and was raised in the Catholic faith despite immense hardship. Though rejected by every U.S. seminary because of racism, he persevered and was ordained in Rome, becoming the first known Black Catholic priest in the United States. He returned home to minister with humility, joy and compassion, drawing people of all backgrounds together through his witness. His life reflects extraordinary faith, resilience and a commitment to the healing mission of Christ.