Tolton now a ‘servant of God’

When Cardinal George returned from the ad limina visit in Rome in February, he brought back some good news. The Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints had named Father Augustus Tolton a “servant of God.”

“The servant of God status is the Congregation for the Saints agreement that the investigation phase can go forward,” said Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, postulator of the cause.

Before the congregation conferred the title of servant of God they did their own research apart from what the archdiocese submitted, to make sure there was no objection among the Vatican congregations to the cause going forward, Bishop Perry said.

The new title came a year after the Archdiocese of Chicago formally opened a cause for Tolton, who is the first identified black priest in the United States. Born the son of slaves in Missouri, he studied for the priesthood in Rome because no American seminary would accept him. Sent to the Diocese of Quincy in southern Illinois, he later came to Chicago to start a parish for black Catholics. He was only 43 years old at the time of his death.

There is a set process that dioceses must follow when pursuing a cause for canonization. It’s a process laid out in the church’s canon law and outlined in the document Sanctorum Mater.

Now that Tolton is a servant of God, the cause compiles his official biography called a “positio.” This document, which can be volumes long, such as in the case of St. Padre Pio, contains reports from the historical and theological commissions associated with the effort. It also includes witness testimonies from people verifying that Tolton’s reputation has carried through the years inspiring the community, Bishop Perry said.

“That is handed over to the Holy Father at the recommendation of the cardinals who sit on the Congregation for Causes of Saints. Once the Holy Father digests that, if it has his endorsement, then he is named venerable,” Bishop Perry said.

After that, Tolton could be beatified and moves on to “blessed” when a miracle attributed to him is accepted, and then canonized and called “saint” after a second miracle is accepted. Not everyone declared a servant of God or venerable makes it on to beatification or canonization.

While that is going on, the cause is working on miracles. Bishop Perry said

“There is one, possibly two that we are still trying to get physicians’ statements on. They look remarkable but we need the physicians’ statements,” he said.

With the statements, the doctors aren’t asked to admit to a miracle. Rather they are asked to describe what happened in the case.

In the meantime, what is needed now is prayer.

“Keep praying for a miracle,” Bishop Perry said. “That’s what we need at this point.”

For more information about the cause visit www.toltoncanonization.org. To report any spiritual or physical favors granted through prayer in Father Tolton’s name, please write: Office of the Cardinal, Archdiocese of Chicago, 835 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611.