Sister Thea Bowman’s gigantic step toward sainthood confirmation

Her documents sent by Bishop Joseph Kopacz to Pope Leo in Rome

On February 9th, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle in Jackson Mississippi, a Mass of Thanksgiving and Closing Session of the Diocesan Phase of the Cause of Servant of God, Sister Thea Bowman was held. The Mass was led with Bishop Joseph Kopacz as Celebrant and Homilist. Bishop Mark Rivituso of Mobile, Bishop Steven Raica of Birmingham, Bishop Emerti Thomas Rodi and Bishop Emerti Robert Baker, along with many Diocesan Priests and Priest Friends also participated. 

The Closing Session of the Diocesan Phase and Sealing of the Acts was conducted by Dott. Emanuele Spedicato, serving as Postulator. Rev. Kevin Zubel, Rev. Michael Flannery, Ms. Fabvienen Taylor, and Ms. Karen Brown constituted the Tribunal. Cecilia Moore, Anne Klejment, Margaret Paulino, and Sidney Paulson constituted the Historical Commission. Mary Woodatd served as Diocesan Liaison to the Cause.

This nearly 8-year long process of offering the name of Sister Thea Bowman for canonization involves exhaustive study and investigation. The Presiding Bishop, the Postulator, the Tribunal, and the Historical Commission all took an oath that the process had been carried out according to the rules of the church and their report was ready to be transmitted to the pope. 

The joint event was truly historical for the church and those in attendance. Most have never before and will never again witness an event wherein an individual is in the process of being considered for canonization to sainthood. Such is a truly rare occasion. For an example, fewer than 20 Americans have been canonized in the history of this country. The complete process often lasts for decades, although it can be shortened by the pope. From the standpoint of the church, it adds to a growing history extending back more than 2000 years. 

In his homily eulogizing Sister Thea Bowman, Bishop Kopacz praised her for her holiness and saintly life, offering her an example for others to follow. He also noted her love for and promotion of African American sacred music, and her challenge to bishops and the rest of the Catholic Church to embrace and utilize it in the liturgy and whenever people offer praise.

In the course of the homily and prayers during the Mass, six other African American Catholics on the path of canonization were mentioned. These include Mother Mary Lange, Mother Henriette Delille, Julia Greely, Pierre Toussaint, Augustus Tolton, and Brother Martin de Porres Ward. 

The formal, elaborate and meticulous nature of the Sealing of the Acts reveal the history, universality, and seriousness of the process. Once an individual has been canonized and declared a saint, he or she is recognized by the entire church and for the rest of its history. These saints include more than 900 Africans, including three African popes (Victor, Gelasius, and Melchiades), Saints Augustine and Monica, and modern-day saints (Josephine Bakhita, Charles Lwanga, and Isadore Bakanga).

It must be clear, however, that church scholars and theologians often recognize as saints individuals who were not members of the Catholic Church. For example, more than a few Catholic leaders, including the then Archbishop of Washington DC, consider Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a saint.

The bottom line is that many will be more than pleased to have Sister Thea Bowman of Canton and Yazoo City listed as a saint and to anticipate her “when the saints go marching in.”