Americans on the way to Sainthood
Good Father Gus
Have you ever heard of “Good Father Gus”? Did you know that the Venerable Fr.
Augustus Tolton, aka “Good Father Gus”, is one of six Americans of African heritage on
the way to sainthood?
Born into slavery in Missouri in 1863, eight-year-old Augustus Tolton escaped to
freedom and settled in Quincy, Illinois. Very well educated and multi-lingual, he aspired
to become a priest. Rejected for admission to every North American major seminary, he
ultimately was sent to study for the priesthood in Rome. Ordained in Rome in 1886, he
became the first openly African American priest in America. After spending time back in
Quincy, he was called by Black Catholics in Chicago to build a church there and be their
priest. So, Fr. Tolton led the development and construction of St. Monica’s Church, the
first African American church west of Baltimore. He became a priest servant to all.
Throughout his life, Fr. Tolton suffered prejudice and many humiliations and became a
model to show how transformation is possible through suffering.
Are you curious about why the church was named St. Monica’s and interested in
learning more about the inspiring and beautiful life of “Good Father Gus”? Please visit
this website.
If you would like to learn about other African Americans with amazing and inspiring
stories, join our friend Derek Mosley on September 24 at 6:30 at St. Anthony’s, as he
presents, “Things Your History Teacher Never Taught You”. For more information and
to register (encouraged but not required), click here.
Parish Connections
