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This Rosary prayer originated in St. Francis Xavier, New York and the parishes in Harlem and Baltimore and the following is an overview of the antiracist rosary designed by the St. Ignatius Antiracism Task Force for personal use in celebration, and reflection, of The Saintly Six - the six Black Catholic candidates for sainthood. As there are currently no Black Catholic Saints officially declared as such by the Church, may these prayers help change hearts and minds of those in power and expedite their causes so that, at long last, we can show here on Earth that heaven is not segregated - and Black Catholics can finally be represented in the ranks of American saints.
OPENING SONG: WADE IN THE WATER
ROSARY STEPS
Initial Meditation
SIGN OF THE CROSS
Crucifix, Antiphon Beads (Apostle's Creed, one Our Father, three Hail Marys, one Glory Be, one O My Jesus, one Reverse Prayer of St. Francis)
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, despite Black Catholics having existed in the U.S. since 1575, there are no Black Catholic saints; the canonization of U.S. Black Catholic saints so that they may “be in that number” is long overdue. Until then, we pray for their immediate canonization to right this injustice, and to reflect upon their lives for personal strength, inspiration, and resolution towards righteous action in the antiracism, racial justice, and broader social justice arenas.
VENERABLE PIERRE TOUSSAINT
First Decade (One Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be, one O My Jesus)
The Parable of the Sower. [Mark 4:1-9]
On another occasion he began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.
And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them,
“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep
And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain.
And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
Lord, in memory of the Venerable Pierre Toussaint, let me be a trailblazer in the antiracist arena, clearing paths and planting the seeds for new projects to grow - whether developed by me personally or by others.
VENERABLE MOTHER MARY ELIZABETH LANGE
Second Decade (One Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be, one O My Jesus)
The Calming of the Storm at Sea. [Matthew 8:23-27]
He got into a boat and his disciples followed him.
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.
They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.
The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”
Lord, Venerable Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange faced innumerable challenges and impediments throughout her life - and yet she never failed to trust in You; give me the strength to never give up on antiracism and racial justice despite inevitable setbacks and struggles.
VENERABLE HENRIETTE DELILLE
Third Decade (One Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be, one O My Jesus)
God’s Love and Christian Life [1 John 4:18-21]
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us.
If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Lord, Venerable Henriette DeLille vocally announced her opposition to systemic racism, despite the protestations of her family and at risk of jeopardizing her own comfort. Give me the courage to be actively, and openly, antiracist and working for racial justice.
VENERABLE FATHER AUGUSTUS TOLTON
Fourth Decade (One Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be, one O My Jesus)
The Light of the World. [John 8:12-20]
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid, because I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me.
Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified.
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.”
So they said to him, “Where is your father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
He spoke these words while teaching in the treasury in the temple area. But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
Lord, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, filled with the Holy Spirit, persevered and endeavored to make Black Catholics visible in U.S. Catholicism; grant me the will to continually ensure Black Catholics are represented within the Church and that space is made for them wherever it does not currently exist.
SERVANT OF GOD JULIA GREELEY
Fifth Decade (One Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be, one O My Jesus)
The Beatitudes [Matthew 5:3-12]
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Lord, there are few people who more fully represent the term “peacemaker” than Servant of God Julia Greeley; give me the resolve to continually build bridges between races that enables true justice - and to do so regardless of who is watching, focusing on tangible results.
SERVANT OF GOD SISTER THEA BOWMAN
Repeat Fifth Decade (One Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be, one O My Jesus)
The Magnificat [Luke 1:46-56]
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age
to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Lord, Venerable Sister Thea Bowman worked to ensure that Black Catholicism was not only tolerated, but systematically embraced by the U.S. Church; grant me the fortitude to speak truth to power - whoever it may be in the moment - on racial justice issues when striving for systematic change.
Closing Prayers
Centerpiece (One Prayer for the Canonization of Pierre Toussaint, one Prayer for the Beatification of Mother Mary Lange, one Prayer for the Canonization of Henriette DeLille, one Prayer for the Canonization of Father Augustus Tolton, one Prayer for the Canonization of Julia Greeley, one Prayer for the Canonization of Sister Thea Bowman, one Reverse Prayer of St. Francis, one Salve Regina, one Closing Prayer)
SIGN OF THE CROSS/APPROPRIATE SONG
PRAYER TEXTS
Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
The Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
The Glory Be (The Doxology)
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
O My Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, and save us from the fire of hell.
Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
The Reverse Prayer of St. Francis
Dear Lord, make me a channel of disturbance.
Where there is apathy, let me provoke,
where there is compliance, let me bring questioning,
where there is silence, may I be a voice.
Where there is too much comfort
and too little action, grant disruption.
Where there are doors closed and hearts locked,
grant me the willingness to listen.
When laws dictate and pain is overlooked..
when tradition speaks louder than need…
grant that I may seek rather to do justice
than to talk about it.
Disturb us, O Lord,
to be with, as well as for the alienated;
to love the unlovable as well as the lovely,
Lord make me a channel of disturbance.
Prayer for the Canonization of Pierre Toussaint
Lord God, source of love and compassion, we praise and honor You for the virtuous and charitable life of our brother in Christ, Venerable Pierre Toussaint.
Inspired by the example of our Lord Jesus, Pierre worshiped You with love and served Your people with generosity. He attended Mass daily and responded to the practical and spiritual needs of friends and strangers, of the rich and the poor, the sick and the homeless of the 19 th century, New York.
If it is your will, let the name of Venerable Pierre Toussaint be officially raised to the rank of Saint, so that the world may know this Haitian New Yorker who refused to hate or be selfish, but instead lived to the full commandments of heaven and the divine law of love—love for God and for neighbor.
By following his example and asking for his prayer, may we, too, be counted among the blessed in heaven.
Prayer for the Canonization of Mother Mary Lange
O Almighty and Eternal God,
You granted Mother Mary Lange extraordinary trust in Your providence.
You endowed her with humility, courage, holiness, and an extraordinary sense of service to the poor and sick.
You enabled her to found the Oblate Sisters of Providence and provide educational, social, and spiritual ministry especially to the African American community.
Mother Lange’s love for all enabled her to see Christ in each person, and the pain of prejudice and racial hatred never blurred that vision.
Deign to raise her to the highest honors of the altar in order that, through her intercession, more souls may come to a deeper understanding and more fervent love of You.
Heavenly Father, glorify Your heart by granting also this favor [mention your request here] which we ask through the intercession of Your faithful servant, Mother Mary Lange.
Prayer for the Canonization of Henriette DeLille
O good and gracious God, You called Henriette Delille to give herself in service and in love to the slaves and the sick, to the orphan and the aged, to the forgotten and the despised.
Grant that inspired by her life, we might be renewed in heart and in mind. If it be Your will may she one day be raised to the honor of sainthood. By her prayers, may we live in harmony and peace, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Canonization of Father Augustus Tolton
O God, we give you thanks for your servant and priest, Father Augustus Tolton, who labored among us in times of contradiction, times that were both beautiful and paradoxical. His ministry helped lay the foundation for a truly Catholic gathering in faith in our time. We stand in the shadow of his ministry. May his life continue to inspire us and imbue us with that confidence and hope that will forge a new evangelization for the Church we love.
Father in Heaven, Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death. If it be your Will, O God, glorify your servant, Father Tolton, by granting the favor I now request through his intercession (mention your request) so that all may know the goodness of this priest whose memory looms large in the Church he loved.
Complete what you have begun in us that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom. Not to us the glory, but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever.
Prayer for the Canonization of Julia Greeley
Heavenly Father, your servant Julia Greeley dedicated her life to honoring the Sacred Heart of your Son, and to the humble service of your children, especially the poor.
If it be in accordance with your holy will, please grant this favor I now ask through her intercession, ________.
I also ask, in the Name of Jesus, whose Sacred Heart filled Julia’s heart with love for all she met, that I may follow her example of humility and simplicity in loving you and my neighbor. Amen
Prayer for the Canonization of Sister Thea Bowman
Ever loving God, who by your infinite goodness inflamed the heart of your servant and religious, Sister Thea Bowman with an ardent love for you and the People of God; a love expressed through her indomitable spirit, deep and abiding faith, dedicated teaching, exuberant singing, and unwavering witnessing of the joy of the Gospel.
Her prophetic witness continues to inspire us to share the Good News with those whom we encounter; most especially the poor, oppressed, and marginalized. May Sister Thea’s life and legacy compel us to walk together, to pray together, and to remain together as missionary disciples ushering in the new evangelization for the Church we love.
Gracious God imbue us with the grace and perseverance that you gave your servant, Sister Thea. For in turbulent times of racial injustice, she sought equity, peace, and reconciliation. In times of intolerance and ignorance, she brought wisdom, awareness, unity, and charity. In times of pain, sickness, and suffering, she taught us how to live fully until called home to the land of promise. If it be your Will, O God, glorify our beloved Sister Thea, by granting the favor I now request through her intercession (mention your request), so that all may know of her goodness and holiness and may imitate her love for You and Your Church. We ask this through Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina)
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Closing Prayer
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
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