Sister Thea Bowman’s Path to Sainthood Moves to the Vatican
The Diocese of Jackson is officially closing the local phase of the sainthood cause for Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, a pivotal figure in the Black Catholic Movement. This transition marks a major milestone, moving her case from Mississippi to the Roman Phase at the Vatican.
Key Event Details
What: A Mass of Thanksgiving and official ceremony marking the end of the diocesan research phase.
When: Monday, Feb. 9 (during Black History Month).
Where: Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson, MS.
Time: 12:00 PM CT.
The Journey So Far
The diocesan phase involves years of meticulous data collection, including transcribing interviews and organizing thousands of pages of biographical research. While the process faced minor delays, diocesan chancellor Mary Woodward described the work—which requires specific formatting and rigorous citations—as a "labor of love."
Once the documents are sent to Rome, officials will compile a positio (a formal summary of her life and virtues). If the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and the Pope approve this document, Bowman will be declared "Venerable."
Who Was Sister Thea Bowman?
Sister Thea was a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration who dedicated her life to bridging the gap between African-American culture and Catholic liturgy.
| Attribute | Description |
| Legacy | Influential orator, singer, and anti-racist activist. |
| Impact | Helped fuse Black spiritual traditions with Catholic worship. |
| Status | One of seven Black Americans currently on the path to sainthood. |
| Passing | Died of cancer in 1990 at the age of 52. |
Supporting the Cause
To manage the significant costs of the upcoming Roman phase—which can range from thousands to over a million dollars—the Diocese recently launched the Sr. Thea Bowman Guild. This organization allows devotees to support the cause through annual memberships.
"We invite you to pray for the cause... and of course, ask Sr. Thea to guide us from above with patience and joy." — Mary Woodward, Diocesan Chancellor
If Sister Thea eventually reaches the final stages of Beatification and Canonization, she could become the first Black American to be officially recognized as a Catholic saint.
Image from https://www.sistertheabowman.com/
with information from the Black Catholic Messenger
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