Announcement Regarding BLACKCATHOLIC apostolate in April: Father Augustus Tolton Month
Black History Month may be over, but, just as I have stated before, my apostolate continues to celebrate Black history, culture, and people everyday of the year (especially within the context of our rightful place in the Catholic Church and her history). Nevertheless, signaling out special moments for specific recognition is always welcome on my end. That’s why in addition to taking part in Black History Month in February followers of my apostolate have also known me to take part in another (lesser known) month for celebrating Black history, Black Catholic History Month in November, every year since I began in 2018. However, there is another month that I feel is worth taking the chance to celebrate.
Therefore, I want to announce that my apostolate will start celebrating April as Father Augustus Tolton Month each year. April is a good month to have a specific celebration of Ven. Tolton for the following reasons:
April 1, 1854 – Tolton’s birthdayApril 26, 1865 – The Civil War end; Important for Tolton as he and his family escaped slavery during the war, and the war’s end helped to further secure the end of slavery and freedom for Tolton and all Black people in America.
April 24, 1886 – Anniversary of Tolton’s ordination to the priesthood in St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome.
April 25, 1886 – Anniversary of Totlon’s first Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Easter Day.
April 1, 2018 – The BLACKCATHOLIC apostolate officially launches in Tolton’s name as one of its Patron Saints on Easter Day.
As you can see April seems to be marked for Tolton both in history and for my apostolate. This is why I want to have my ministry celebrate him during April as a month specially dedicated to him, his life, ministry, and road to canonization. This begins next month. So, I hope you all will take the time then along with me as a special opportunity to learn more about Tolton, spread his story and witness, and develop a spiritual relationship with him as someone to receive intercession from and to imitate as he sought to imitate Christ during his brief life of 43 years.
Stay tuned.
Peace.
– Justin
Venerable Augustus Tolton pray for us!