A POSSIBLE NEW AMERICAN SAINT'S CONNECTION TO OUR DIOCESE

In Case You Missed It -- You Need to Know

MARTHA JANE CHISLEY TOLTON (1827-1911) WAS ONE OF 222 ENSLAVED CATHOLICS BAPTISED IN MY HOME PARISH OF ST. THERESA, DOWN THE OHIO RIVER IN MEADE COUNTY , KENTUCKY. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF ST. THERESA CHURCH UNTIL AGE 17 WHEN SHE WAS "TAKEN" TO MISSOURI. IN TIME, SHE ESCAPED FROM MISSOURI TO THE "FREE STATE" OF ILLINOIS WITH HER CHILDREN. 

BECAUSE OF HER STEADFAST FIDELITY TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH AND HIS SHEER DETERMINATION, HER SON AUGUSTUS BECAME THE FIRST BLACK MAN AND FORMER SLAVE IN THE UNITED STATES TO BE ORDAINED A CATHOLIC PRIEST.  

                       

FATHER AUGUSTUS TOLTON'S MOTHER, MARTHA JANE, IS BURIED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.  

FATHER AUGUSTUS TOLTON IS BURIED IN QUINCY, ILLINOIS, WHERE HE GREW UP AFTER HE, HIS SIBLINGS AND HIS MOTHER ESCAPED SLAVERY IN MISSOURI. 

MARTHA JANE'S MOTHER, MATILDA CHISLEY, IS BURIED IN MY HOME PARISH'S OLD CEMETERY

ST. THERESA OF AVILA, RHODELIA, KENTUCKY

1806-1836