African Saints, African Stories introduces slaves, nobles, religious, clergy, and laity whose lives exemplify the contributions people of color have made to the Church. Some started out as Catholics, others converted, but all ended up serving God from the fullness of their hearts.
Thirty sketches feature individuals with official titles of the church: saint, blessed, and venerable. Ten sketches feature saints-in-waiting, Brown's term for "heroes already in God's presence, members of the communion of saints, but unclassified as such by the church."
One of the earliest canonized saints is a Pope Celsius I. He was born in the late fifth century, dealt successfully with a schism, fought against Pelagianism and Manichaeanism, advocated divine authority for the papacy, and argued for papal infallibility. He was the first pope to be known as "Vicar of Christ." Brown describes him as humble, unselfish, strong-willed, and devoted to doctrine and love of the people.
A more contemporary story of energy is that of saint-in-waiting Sister Thea Bowman. Born Mississippi in 1937, Bertha Bowman took the name "Thea" at age 16 when she became the first African American Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. She promised herself to be the best sister possible, and to promote recognition of the rich heritage Black Catholics bring to the Church. Brown writes of Sister Thea's expressions of traditional African singing, dancing, and preaching. She was "a ball of energetic smiling light, urging us to celebrate because we were children of God."
For each subject, Brown provides biographical information, a relevant Scripture passage, prayer, and questions for reflection. The book's appendixes feature a calendar of selected saints, litany of African saints, and map of modern day Africa. As the author suggests, the text is suitable for individuals and faith-sharing groups, retreats, and black history programs.
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