Bending the Arc

This week, the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi officially closed its proceedings regarding the potential sainthood of Servant of God, Sister Mary Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. Sister Thea’s work during the 20th century helped the U.S. Catholic Church refine its ministry toward Black American Catholics. She is among seven Black Catholics with active sainthood causes — dubbed the "Saintly Seven." Read more about Sr. Thea’s loving heart, prophetic spirit and boundless stamina in this NCR article.

The fact that these events are happening during Black History Month is extra special for so many for whom she inspired and paved the way.

Did you Know?
While studying at The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., Sister Thea helped found the National Black Sisters’ Conference. She went on to teach for years in La Crosse, WI, where she was the only African American member of the Wisconsin-based FSPAs.

What’s Next?
The Jackson diocese, which opened Bowman’s cause in 2018, officially sealed the documents and other materials it gathered over the course of that phase; the records will be sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican.
“This moment marks an important milestone in the Church’s careful and prayerful discernment of Sister Thea Bowman’s witness to the Gospel,” Bishop Kopacz said prior to the ceremony. “Her life continues to inspire faith, hope, and joy, not only within our diocese but throughout the Church in the United States and beyond,” he said. 

Continue to learn more in this National Catholic Register article.