Recently, I made a visit to Saint Peter Claver
Church in Philadelphia. It happened to be a sunny afternoon and light beamed
through the brilliant stained glass windows, which provided a peaceful setting
for me to have a few moments of quiet prayer.
As I prayed, I was struck by the fact that I was in
the very same place where Father Augustus Tolton offered High Mass on the day
the Church was dedicated in 1892. Saint Peter Claver is considered the "Mother
Church for Black Catholics for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia." Since its
dedication, so many have come to that sacred soil to know, love and serve Christ
and His Church. Father Augustus Tolton was ordained in 1886 and was openly
embraced as the first recognized African American Catholic priest. That moment
of prayer and inspiration reminded me that I am blessed to participate in a long
legacy of African American men to share in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that
the ministerial priesthood, received in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, differs in
essence from the common priesthood of all the faithful. It has as its purpose to
serve the priesthood of all the faithful by building up and guiding the Church
in the Name of Christ, who is Head of the Body. (1547)
Indeed, Father Augustus Tolton dedicated his life to
serving the Church, not just in the particular parishes and missions of his
time, but his life is an inspiration that Christ calls African American men to
be His Priests. Yes...black and brown hands are anointed to sanctify the people
of God!
On May 3-5, 2010, the National Black Catholic
Congress, in partnership with the African American Catholic bishops and the
University of Notre Dame, will sponsor Stir into Flame - A Symposium on the
Vocation to the Priesthood in the African American community. At this gathering,
invited bishops and priests will gather to develop greater awareness and
promotion of vocations to the priesthood among African American Catholic men.
They will also develop an action plan to be used by parishes and dioceses to
foster vocations to the priesthood in the African American community.
How appropriate is the timing of this Symposium as
we currently celebrate the
Year for Priests, as declared by Pope Benedict, XVI.
Our holy father called for this year of grace for
the whole Church as a new opportunity for priests to grow in holiness and live
more fully united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and for all the members of the
Church to recall the essential role of priests among us and in society.
I ask for your prayers that the Holy Spirit will
fall afresh on all who gather at Notre Dame for our Symposium. May our bishops
and priests persevere in their Vocation and offer a credible witness of the Holy
Priesthood of Jesus Christ that will inspired many young men.
I may be 5' 10", but if I look a little taller, I am
standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me.
Reverend Stephen D. Thorne was ordained a priest for
the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1998. Having served as a parochial vicar,
high school teacher and pastor, he is presently the full time Director of the
Office for Black Catholics, Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
