November marks 36th Black Catholic History Month with opportunities to learn about the 'saintly six' up for canonization
DETROIT — As Black Catholic History Month approaches, multiple media opportunities will be offered locally and nationally to reflect on the contributions of Black Catholics to the life and future of the Church.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, Emagine Theater in Royal Oak will be screening "Tolton: From Slave to Priest", a new film that follows America's first Black priest, and beginning Nov. 2, CatholicTV will air a six-part documentary series on Black Catholics whose canonization causes are originating from U.S. dioceses.
Vickie Figueroa, associate director of cultural ministries for the Archdiocese of Detroit, recommends all people consider attending the "Tolton" film screening, but especially families.
"It's a great way to educate kids on what a great person Augustus Tolton was," Figueroa told Detroit Catholic. "It shows that when you are true to Christ and when you have faith in God, what incredible things you can do. Even though he had all these obstacles to overcome, he still did it, for love of Christ."
'Tolton: From Slave to Priest'
From Saint Luke Productions, "Tolton: From Slave to Priest" tells the story of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton's journey to become the first Black Catholic priest in the United States. The film follows his mother's quest to escape the injustice of slavery and Augustus's experience breaking through the prejudices levied toward him to eventually become America's first Black priest.
"Tolton" will be screened for one evening only, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Emagine Theater in Royal Oak. Learn more about the film and purchase tickets here.
'Black Catholics: Footsteps to Sainthood'
Airing on CatholicTV, "Black Catholics: Footsteps to Sainthood" will also begin with a feature on Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, as well five additional Black Catholics whose canonization causes are advancing: Pierre Toussaint, Henriette Delille, Mother Mary Lange, Julia Greeley, and Sister Thea Bowman.
Hosted by Emmy-nominated producer and award-winning author Dr. Ansel Augustine, the series will examine the lives of each of the featured Catholics, as well as the witness and expression of holiness they lived out in the face of hardship and discrimination.
The six-part documentary series will premiere on Monday, Nov. 2 at 9:00 ET, with one episode released each month.
Additional ways to engage with Black Catholic history as November approaches include reading the 1984 pastoral letter What We Have Seen and Heard from the then ten Black Bishops of the United States, or reading OSV's "Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood" anthology, edited by Michael R. Heinlein, and following the lives of notable Black Catholics throughout history.
