Renowned storyteller to present on Black Catholics on road to sainthood

ValLimar Jansen, a renowned inspirational and catechetical speaker, singer, composer and recording artist, will visit the Diocese of Camden the evening of Feb. 4 to share stories of “Six Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood.”

Through music, Scripture, reflection and storytelling, Jansen will unpack the lives of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, national speaker and the first African-American of the Franciscan Sisters of the Perpetual Adoration; Venerable Henriette Delille, founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family religious community; Servant of God Julia Greeley, the “Angel of Charity” to the marginalized in Denver; Servant of God Mother Mary Lange, co-founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence; Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, the first African-American ordained to the priesthood in the United States; and Venerable Pierre Toussaint, whose generosity to the Church and poor made him known as the Father of Catholic Charities in New York.

Jansen said she wants “the audience to know that these were ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives in their faith, who lived within God’s will and loved their neighbors as themselves.” Through the narratives of these soon-to-be saints, those in attendance “can say to themselves, ‘I can do that; I can be praying, loving, giving, more of who God wants me to be and transform the face of the earth,’” she said.

Father Vincent Guest, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, and coordinator of the diocesan Black Catholic Ministry Commission, encouraged everyone – including families – to attend the evening.

“These six Black Catholic heroes of our faith overcame racism and prejudice, from our country and our Church, and stood tall as witnesses of heroic love and service,” he said. “Mrs. Jansen’s program will help us grow to appreciate the diversity of our Catholic faith. She will help us all on our journey to become missionary disciples. You will learn that Black Catholics are an important part of the history of American Catholicism.”

“Six Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood: An Evening with ValLimar Jansen” is being sponsored by the Black Catholic Ministry Commission. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Camden Catholic High School, 300 Cuthbert Blvd., Cherry Hill.  A free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, contact Cherryl Summers at 856-365-0573, or blackcatholicministry.camden@gmail.com.