A joyous prayer service and reception will be held Monday, April 1, at at 6:30 p.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1501 W. Washington St., to unite our community on the birthday of America’s first recognizably Black priest, Father Augustus Tolton.

The mid-Lent Monday event follows Laetare (“Rejoice”) Sunday whose introit implores us to “Rejoice … and come together!” The dynamic preacher will be Rev. Canon, A. Gerard Jordan, O. Praem, currently of Chicago, who serves as “Promoter of the Cause” of sainthood for Farther Tolton. Tolton’s unshakable joy brought together then-unlikely peoples — Blacks and Whites — in “times …both beautiful and paradoxical.” In this spirit, ALL are welcome to come and rejoice!

Co-sponsors: The Tolton Society of St. Augustine Parish and the Black Catholic Advisory Board of the Diocese.

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