On Saturdays, members of the Saint Bartholomew community of Sacred Heart Parish gather in the basement of Saint Bartholomew Church in Camden to prepare meals for the hungry in the city. Seventy-five to 100 people gather every Saturday to receive a good meal and a warm welcome by the community. Beginning in February, those meals will be carried in a little red wagon as a way to honor the memory of Servant of God Julia Greeley.
Julia Greeley is one of six Black Americans on the path toward officially being recognized as saints in the Roman Catholic Church.
Julia was born in slavery in Hannibal, Missouri, and lost eyesight in one of her eyes when a slave owner’s whip – being used to beat her mother – struck and severely damaged her eye. She was emancipated after the Civil War and settled in Denver. In Denver, she became Catholic and was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Parish.
Julia Greeley was a daily communicant and had a fervent devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother. She is known as Denver’s “Angel of Mercy” because of her dedication to the poor and hungry in the city. She would be seen pulling a little red wagon around the city, giving food and clothing to Denver’s needy. It is so appropriate that Julia died June 7, 1918, the feast day of the Sacred Heart that year.
Because of her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Servant of God Julia Greeley has a special place in the heart of Sacred Heart Parish in Camden. At Sunday Mass on Feb. 13, I blessed a “Little Red Wagon” in her honor. This wagon will be used by parishioners to carry food to the hungry and homeless in Camden who come to our church seeking assistance. We pray she continues to inspire all of us to be “Angels of Mercy” in our own parishes and communities. Servant of God Julia Greeley, pray for us.
Father Vincent G. Guest is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, and coordinator of the Black Catholic Apostolate and Racial Justice Commission.
A Prayer to Servant of God 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 the poor. Grant to me a generous heart like your Son’s, and if it be in accordance with your holy will, please grant this favor I now ask through Julia’s intercession (insert intention) … I pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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