Embracing All Our History

Finding Truth, Part 1

Here’s a story to set the stage for today’s post on The Tolton Path:

There is hope in the orange full moon tonight. It’s the first time in years that I’ve felt this way. I’ve come across paper with words on it. “Newspapers” they used to call it. Another piece to the puzzle as to why I survived and no one else did.

I’m able to touch the top of the doorway of my room. I’ve grown another two inches. There are other rooms with beds. Other closets with clothes. Plenty of forks, spoons and plates for dozens of people. Yet it’s only been me here my whole life. At least from what I remember.

I open the front door for my boxes. Food and drinks are right on time. I never see what delivers these supplies. Just me and the moon here in this empty town.

I begin eating and get to work. But the newspaper doesn’t seem to provide any information of use. The people want something called the “government” to make things better. This government seems to want to help but can’t. That’s because there seem to be a lot of people who think the government will just take away their freedom. Instead, they want to help themselves.

Why do some people want to help themselves while others want the government to help them? It looks like the “self helpers” are doing things to the “want helpers”, but I’m not sure. 

It’s all very confusing.

I’m going to look for more papers. I need to find the truth.

–End story (for now)–  

The Past, Present and Future

Like the unnamed character in the story above has figured out, looking at the past is important to the present and future. Not to live in it, but to have a full picture and a variety of perspectives to make informed and better decisions.

It is unwise to ignore parts of the past out of fear or discomfort of what you might find. But shouldn’t we try to understand all our history to make informed decisions in the present? One may easily be manipulated by those who have that additional knowledge and understanding. Your ignorance may be used against you.

Let the light shine on the truth.

Father Augustus Tolton lived a remarkable life. That’s why this blog is named after him. He was born a slave, yet a cradle Catholic, just like his mother. He had Catholic religion classes from his master’s daughter, who was also his Godmother. It is in that twisted world where Father Tolton’s path to priesthood began.

Father Tolton’s mother rowed them for one mile across the Mississippi River, narrowly escaping the Confederates. They made their home where they landed in Quincy, Illinois. After one Catholic school refused to admit him due to racism, another one right down the street took him. It is here where Father Tolton met a priest, Father Peter McGirr, who took him under his wing. 

Many parishioners objected to a Black student attending their children’s school. But Father Tolton was an excellent student. After graduation, he helped form a tuition free Catholic school for the Black community of Quincy which became extremely popular. Baptists and Methodist ministers forced the closure of the school six years later.

But it was in forming this school where Father Tolton found his calling for the priesthood. He also attended a Catholic college during this time. Initially, white students threatened to leave the College but the Church did not bend. Neither did Father Tolton. He graduated as the class valedictorian.

Still, Father Tolton was rejected from every North American seminary for which he applied. He continued his studies learning three languages, history and philosophy. Eventually he was admitted into a seminary in Rome where he was ordained at age 31. He expected to be placed in Africa but instead was placed as a missionary for the Black community in his hometown in Quincy, Illinois. Cardinal Simeoni said, “America has been called the most enlightened nation. We will see if it deserves the honor. If America has never seen a Negro priest, it will see one now."

Father Tolton connected with black and white parishioners. They enjoyed his sermons and the beautiful singing voice of “Good Father Gus.” However, there were some concerns from priests of losing their white parishioners. In his reassignment in Chicago, Father Tolton grew the St. Monica parish from 30 to 600.

The exceptional life of Father Tolton ended abruptly when he died at the age of 43 as a result of a Chicago heat wave.

There is much joy in the accomplishments of Father Tolton. But there were trials and tribulations that followed him since birth. He was a Black man in a moment of time in a racist country that was trying to become better and often failed miserably. 

But a country is not a monolith. A country is not good or bad. It is each person’s choice to act in accordance with their own morals. It is the individual that decides what to say or not say, what to do or not do. It is critical to be informed to protect you from being manipulated in making such decisions.

Learning about the racism that Father Tolton lived through while excelling in his path to priesthood shows a great deal of perseverance, determination and a reliance on God. His path continues to sainthood. He is a person in the past I look up to in the present to try and make a better version of me for the future. You may watch more about Father Tolton here.

The past’s truth holds authority over our present and future lives. Embrace all our history to find the truth.

Peace.