In documentary, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton’s words reveal struggles

Retired Bishop Joseph N. Perry of Chicago, postulator for Father Augustus Tolton’s sainthood cause, speaks with Tolton film viewers outside Marian University Theater in Indianapolis on July 16. (Photo by Ann Margaret Lewis)

By Ann Margaret Lewis

On July 16, Marian University hosted the Indianapolis premiere of a new documentary titled Tolton Speaks: The Life and Letters of Fr. Augustus Tolton, a film about the life and writings of America’s first Black priest, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton.

Venerable is a title used in the Catholic Church to indicate that an individual is on the second step toward possible canonization as a saint.

Sponsored by Jack Shockley Warriors for Peace, the event included a reception that exhibited, for the first time, new bronze sculptures of Father Tolton by sculptor Forrest Tucker, a member of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish in Danville. (Related story: ‘Reflecting God’s mercy’: Sculptor completes his tribute to an American hero)

The documentary recounts Father Tolton’s story as a child born as a slave whose mother managed a daring escape to the free state of Illinois during the Civil War, and how he eventually became the first priest of African descent in the United States, ministering in Chicago and Quincy, Ill.

What makes Tolton Speaks especially interesting is that it features Father Tolton’s own words shared through his 13 surviving private letters.

The reality that he had so few written works is not surprising. In his comments following the viewing of the documentary, retired Bishop Joseph N. Perry of Chicago, postulator for Father Tolton’s sainthood cause, said the priest did not leave behind more writing due to his race and the bigotry against Catholics at the time.

“[Catholics in general] were not accepted in this country as citizens or imagined as citizens,” Perry said. “And that lasted at least until [President] John F. Kennedy.”

Bishop Perry, who is Black, explained that the Church was in double jeopardy, sandwiched between laws and prevailing attitudes, “settling in a country that didn’t want us.”

Father Tolton’s racial challenges made his writing efforts scarce.

“With the Ku Klux Klan, you did not want to leave a paper trail behind,” Bishop Perry said. “You did not want to do that. You [would be] considered to be uppity and out of your realm.”

The few letters Father Tolton did leave behind display his unique faithfulness, his pursuit of charity in the face of rejection and his desire to serve people in spiritual and physical need. The letters are read throughout the documentary in character, with bits of humor and, often, despondency at his rejection by other Catholics, including a fellow priest.

Ultimately, Father Tolton was buried in Quincy, Ill., even after his rejection by a large portion of that community.

“That was probably the largest indication that Father Tolton had forgiven everything that took place in Quincy,” Bishop Perry said. “I find that very inspirational.”

Viewers in the audience found the film itself inspiring.

Adam Hamilton particularly liked hearing Father Tolton’s own words.

“It was insightful. I liked the writing because you could see his personality,” said the member of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis.

He also appreciated the example of Father Tolton’s life and that he was confident enough to write to people who are now saints for help, especially St. Katharine Drexel of Philadelphia.

“I really enjoyed how he addressed his bishops and how he appealed to Rome for the authority to relocate [to Chicago] rather than appealing to any lesser authority to honor his oath,” Hamilton added.

Future showings of the documentary are yet to be scheduled, but there are plans for it to be available on streaming services in the future. The trailer for Tolton Speaks and other information on Father Augustus Tolton can be found on the production company’s website at stellamarisfilms.com. †