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SAINTS
OF COLOR
In
these model persons, our racial and religious heritage is
linked. Their stories challenge each of us to find the path
to holiness in our own lives.
Christianity
had its roots in Africa long before it reached Europe. Saints
are those historic and heroic men and women who have internalized
the mystery of Jesus. This account includes women and men
of African ancestry, as well as non-Africans, who through
their love of God and His people, gave their lives and/or
fortunes to foster religious vocations among Native Americans
and people of color.
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About
the Process of Canonization
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Venerable
(Servant
of God)
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The
title is given when the person is adjudged worthy
of examination |
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Blessed
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Given
when at least two miracles are performed at the
invocation of the Blessed's name |
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Saint
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Given
to a Blessed at completion of the process; a feast
day is assigned; church's are dedicated in the Saint's
honor |
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St.
Peter Claver
Born: 1580;
Canonized: 1888;
Member of the Society of Jesus
Peter vowed to be the slave of slaves forever. He lived
his ordained life in Cartagena, Colombia. The remains
of St. Peter Claver are under the altar of his church
in Cartagena, Colombia, where he spent much of his life
after being ordained a priest in 1616.
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St.
Martin DePorres
Born:
December 9, 1579; Canonized: May 6, 1962 by Pope John
XXIII
He was a Dominican Brother and friend to Spanish, Indians,
Negroes and all people. He never was ordained a priest
due to his race.
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St. Monica
Born: Tagaste,
Africa, 332 A.D; Died 387
Spent her lifetime praying for the conversion of her husband
and her son, St.
Augustine, who later became one of the Church's greatest
Theologians |
St. Augustine
Born:
Tagaste, Africa 354 A.D.; Died 430.
His feast day is one day after his mother's, August 28.
He became Bishop of Hippo in 395 and said, "the Church
is founded on Jesus Christ." |
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St.
Anthony, Abbot
Born: Egypt,
251: Died 356 A.D.
Initiator of Monastic life and started blessing of animals,
which is still done today on his feast day, January
17.
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Popes
from North Africa
Pope St. Gelasius I
Reigned: 492-496. A.D.; Feast
Day: November 21.
Pope St. Victor I
Reigned:
183 - 203 A.D.: Feast Day: July 28
In 198 A.D., he ordered all Churches to celebrate
Easter on the Sunday following the 14th day of the Vernal
Equinox.
Pope
Miltiades -- St. Melchiades
Born:
Africa; Feast Day: December 10
First Pope to live in the Cathedral of St. John Lateran
in Rome.
He lived only 3 years as Pope
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Sts.
Perpetua and Felicity
Born:
North Africa, near Carthage:
Martyred: 203 A.D.;
Feast Day: March 7
Both names are cited in Eucharistic Prayer 1.
Felicity was servant to Perpetua.
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Saint Katharine Drexel
Canonized:
October 1, 2000
She chose to live a poor life and spent her whole life
in service to Native and African Americans. She founded
the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. |
Saint
Josephine Bakhita
Canonized:
October 1, 2000
Daughter of Charity of Canossa. She was the first African
woman to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church in
the 21st Century.
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Black
Catholic Affairs |
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