Fr Augustus Tolton has been named “venerable” after Pope Francis recognized his “heroic virtues,” moving him one step closer to sainthood.
Tolton was the first African American to be ordained a diocesan priest and could become the first African American saint.
Tolton’s cause for canonization was first announced in 2010 by Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Francis George.
In 2012, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican granted Tolton the title “Servant of God” and in March of 2018, the Congregation reviewed the positio, the official document for Tolton’s cause, and unanimously approved his case to move forward.
