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From the Pastor’s Desk
The presentation of Tolton: From Slave to Priest is about 10 days away on Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cathedral. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Please be aware that with set up of the production, the Cathedral will be closed at 1:00 p.m. that day. As well, Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on February 13 will conclude with Benediction following the praying of the Rosary at 12:00 noon.
In order to help defray the costs of bringing this production to our community, a free-will offering will be taken up that evening. Also, help us get the word out about this performance! Bring your friends and neighbors; tell your co-workers, too. Tolton is a 75-minute play and is suitable for children 10-years-of-age and older.
Augustus Tolton was the first African-American to be ordained to the Catholic priesthood in the United States. Born a slave, once he gained his freedom he settled with his family in Quincy, Illinois. There, despite controversy, he was enrolled in one of the Catholic schools. After being denied acceptance at every seminary in the USA, he was accepted for studies in Rome at the Pontifical Urbania University and was ordained a priest in 1866. His priestly ministry brought him to the Archdiocese of Chicago where, for most of his life, he served at Saint Monica Parish. He died there in 1897 and was buried in Quincy.
His story, you will find through the production, is inspiring. Father Tolton’s cause for canonization is being promoted by the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as the Dioceses of Springfield (IL) and Jefferson City (MO). I hope you will make plans to be here to find out more about this man of grace and virtue.
Love,
Father Tom