Faithful join Quincy pilgrimage commemorating Venerable Father Augustine Tolton
The pilgrimage celebrates the enduring legacy of a priest whose ministry continues to inspire Catholics across the U.S.
Marking the 129th anniversary of his death, pilgrims gathered in Quincy, Illinois, July 9 to honor Venerable Father Augustine Tolton, the first publicly recognized black Catholic priest in the U.S.
The faithful gathered at St. Peter Church before walking a one-mile pilgrimage to his gravesite at St. Peter Cemetery, where they prayed for Ven. Tolton's canonization and an end to racism, according to Muddy River News.
Father Steven Arisman, chairman of the Committee for the Father Tolton Shrine, led pilgrims in prayer and hymns during the procession to honor Ven. Tolton, whose story has “inspired generations,” according to the outlet.
As Zeale News previously reported, the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, announced in April plans to restore historic St. Boniface Church in Quincy as a shrine honoring Ven. Tolton, where he celebrated his first Solemn High Mass.
Born into slavery in Missouri in 1854, Ven. Tolton escaped slavery with his family and later settled in Quincy. Denied admission to American seminaries because of his race, he studied for the priesthood in Rome and returned to minister in Quincy. He later founded St. Monica Catholic Church, the nation's first black Catholic national parish.
Pope Francis declared Father Tolton "Venerable" in 2019.
