Black Catholic History Month

November is the month dedicated to celebrating the Black culture and faith. Here are six Black American Candidates for Sainthood: 

• Julia Greeley, Former Slave, Servant of God, Third Order Franciscan
• Sister Thea Bowman, Servant of God, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration
• Venerable Henriette Delille - Servant of Slaves - Foundress: Sisters of the Holy Family
• Mother Mary Lange - Servant of God, Co-Foundress: Oblate Sisters of Providence
• Father Augustus Tolton - Venerable, First African American to be ordained a priest
• Pierre Toussaint - Venerable, credited for being the Father of Catholic Charities in New York as well as first Catholic orphanage and first school for black children

There are many Black Saints. Examples are:

• St. Augustine
• St. Josephine Bakhita
• St. Martin de Porres 

Here's the Church's four stages for a person to be declared a Saint:

• Servant of God
• Venerable
• Blessed
• Saint

For more information, please visit these websites:

• National Black Catholic Congress
• Word in Black