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Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton
Lived: April 1, 1854 - July 9, 1897
For Details about his canonization process including the approved prayer asking for his intercession, visit the Archdiocese of Chicago's website."I shall work and pull at it as long as God gives me life, for I am beginning to see that I have powers and principalities to resist anywhere and everywhere I go."
“Follow not the well-worn path. Go instead where there is no path, and blaze a trail.”Venerable Augustus Tolton was the first Black priest in the United States. This priest with a beautiful singing voice and magnificent musical talent on the accordion was also an eloquent preacher who spoke six languages and was known as “Good Father Gus.” His life leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and a model for answering God’s call.
He was born in 1854 to Peter and Martha Tolton, slaves in Missouri. Peter ran away to join the Union Army, and not long after Martha escaped with their three small children across the Mississippi River to freedom in Illinois. When they were safely across the river, Martha told Augustus to “never forget the goodness of the Lord.” This advice encouraged the young boy’s love of Jesus to continue and to grow despite the adversities he faced throughout his life.
Freedom didn’t mean an easy life. Augustus worked hard to help provide for his family even as a child. A local Irish priest, Fr. McGirr, welcomed him into St. Peter’s school, Augustus studied and advanced quickly. Seeing something special in the boy, Fr. McGirr mentored Augustus; it was from this relationship that Augustus heard the call from God to be a priest.
No seminary would accept Augustus after he graduated high school. However, he didn’t give up on answering God’s call. He attended and graduated from a local college while searching for a solution. Eventually, Augustus was accepted into a seminary in Rome. He expected to be sent to Africa as a missionary priest after ordination, however he was asked if he would return to the U.S. Augustus accepted this challenge for God’s glory.
He became pastor of St. Joseph Church in Quincy, Ill., but was quickly reassigned to St. Monica’s in Chicago. Good Father Gus always worked hard to serve his community and persevered through racial issues and roadblocks, never turning his back on God’s call to love.
At the young age of 43, Fr. Augustus Tolton died unexpectedly while on retreat. He is considered “Venerable,” meaning his life is an example of heroic virtue for us to learn from and emulate. May his perseverance to answering God’s call inspire each of us to do the same.