Quenzy, 1879, rejected by every seminary he's applied to, Gus has lost direction and hope. Now his friends and mentors began to wonder, what Gus ever fulfilled his calling. The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage, Augustus Toulton, Episode 5, We've been waiting. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at the Saints Podcast.com. Come in. Father McGeer. Father Richard. Good afternoon. Have you seen Gus today? No, I haven't. He was absent from Mass this morning and... ...weren't you meant to have class with him? Peter, I'm very worried about Gus. I think this last rejection broke something in him. Yes, I believe it did. He doesn't care about his studies anymore, not like he used to. His mood is strange and frantic, his smiles are forced. He doesn't sing. What should we do? My friend, I wish I knew. I suppose finding him is the first thing. You might try the back garden. He likes to sit and think under the element tree. I'll go and look. Michael, the Lord is just. Is he not? The Lord is just as itself, Father. Indeed. When you find Gus, tell him that. Father McGeer figured you might be out here. Unless my timings off, we should currently be in my office discussing theology. The night that my dad escaped to join the Union Army, he told me how important freedom is. Freedom to live, to learn, to work, to pray. He really believed that. So much that he died fighting to make it a reality for me. I wish I'd known him. I wanted to be a priest. Maybe I'd be the first black priest. I've never met one that looked like me. I thought I was free. I thought this is what my father died for. But maybe he died for nothing. Fighting for nothing. Even in the church, I am not free. That isn't true, Gus. You want to talk theology? Fine. What Father does the Categism say is a man's purpose. To serve and love God, and to offer all creation back to him. And how does it define justice? Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give one's due to God and neighbor. And who is my neighbor? Oh, are. I see. Then here's the snack. If I'm preventing my neighbor from giving what he owes to God, aren't I refusing to give my neighbor what I owe him? I do not like your tone, Gus. Aren't I refusing him justice? Yes, you are. I'm not a free man, Father. I'm not free to serve God as a priest here because I'm a Negro. I want to worship the Lord at the altar. I want to help free all my brothers and sisters from whatever enslaved them. I want to serve Father. That's all. But they won't let me. Please tell me what am I? What is anyone supposed to do with rejected zeal? How am I supposed to follow my vocation when the church... That's enough, Augustus. That's enough. Several times now you've said that church is refusing. That church is hindering the church. You need to hear these words. When you say the church, you're talking about Christ. The church is the body of Christ and He has not rejected you. But we are His body. And that body rejected me. Only a few of its broken members, but don't forget. Don't you ever forget. That body is also Henry, Clement Lewis, Father Wegman, Sister Herlinda, Father McGear. My mother. Yes. You've been wronged. You have. And I wouldn't dare play that down. And I have no idea how or when it'll be righted. But the bottom line is this. God is justice. It's foolish to lose heart. Sit with that for a while. God is justice. God is justice. God is justice. God, You are justice. This is a factory for you. You can't just wander freely. There he is. Gus. Father Richard? Father McGear? What is it? What happened? A miracle, Lord. Gus, I have a confession to make. Gentlemen, this is a business and Mr. Totten is here on company time. Please, we only need a moment. It's an urgent matter. I promise you. Gus. I've been giving a secret from you. Forgive me. I didn't want to raise your hopes until I received an answer. An answer to what? I'm very close with the head of the Franciscan Order. I wrote to him as soon as you received your rejection letter from the Iraniana. He spoke to the faculty directly. It took a little convincing, but here. Father. What does this mean? You're going to roll, Gus. Roll? But congratulations, Mr. Totten. We are delighted to accept you into our seminary program. I'm going to be a priest. You're going to be a priest. Oh, I'm going to be a priest. You're going to be a priest, lad. Thank you, Father Richard. Father McGear. Thank you. Thank you. Tom, where do you think you're going? I've got to go see my mama. Still the way. Still the way to Jesus. Still the way. Still the way home. Hang on to me. Mama. Gus? Mama. Gus, baby, what's wrong? Mama, I'm going to Rome. What are you talking about? Father Richard got a letter? Mama. I'm going to be a priest. Ah! Oh! My Lord, oh, my goodness of the Lord, Augustus. Never forget the goodness of the Lord. There she blows. Gus. Days finally here. I still don't believe it. I do. No one's ever been more fit for this. And now we say goodbye. Oh, my friend. I don't know that I can find the words. Neither can I, Father. I'm proud of your son. Father Richard. Oh, if you go then. Thank you, Father. Father Richard? A priest with your passion for justice will change the world. We need you, my friend. Go and study well. I will. I promise. I will finally be able to do what God's called me to. Even if I can't do it in my home country, I know God has a calling and a purpose for me elsewhere. Let me walk you to your car. Mmm, mmm, mmm. My son. A priest. I wanted to happen since that day we sat in mass listening to Father McGear all those years ago. You've had too many guardian angels for it not to happen. Father McGear, sister Holinda, Father Richard. You, Mama. None of this would have happened without you. You've been my guardian angel from day one. Oh, God. I need to know you'll be all right. It's four years at the seminary and then I don't know where in the world they'll send me. Could be Africa. No matter where they send you, I couldn't be anything less than overjoy. Even if you run off to be a missionary in Africa. I love you, Augustus. I love you, Mama. Oh, Lord! Go now. Right to me from wrong. Everywhere they send you after. Everyday, Mama. Receive the oblation of the Holy people to be offered to God. Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord's cross. Peace be with you. Father Augustus told them. And with your spirit. You've graduated with absolute distinction, Augustus. Your old nation was well-earned, we couldn't be more pleased. Thank you, Cardinal Simioni. I've never been happier. Now, as for your first assignment, I know you've had your heart set on missionary priesthood. Africa is my hope, your Eminence. You're superior and I have talked at length and we've decided that you're most needed back in America. The United States Eminence. Would it be that distasteful to you? Sir, I owe a great deal to many people back home, but I have no desire to serve as a priest where I wasn't wanted as one. I understand, but I assure you that much prayer has gone into this decision. Could I perhaps make my case before my superiors? It isn't Africa, I grant you, but it's absolutely missionary work. If America is to thrive, she must heal. And if she is to heal, she must have black priests. Father Tolton, will you be the first? I spent a long time dreaming about doing just that. I thought God led me abroad for a different path, but if he's going to redeem that dream now. And yes, sir, I will. Father Tolton! Father Tolton, over here! Archbishop Fien? That's me! Welcome to Chicago. Thank you. I have to say now that I'm here, I'm pretty excited. Not as excited as I am to have you. Shall we walk? Lead the way. Father, you'd have been a high point of my ear to introduce you to your congregation. I couldn't be more excited of the chance to minister to my own people. I can't wait to see the looks on that faces when you step inside. They know I'm coming, don't they? I actually know. They knew it was a possibility, but not a done deal. Well, I hope it's a pleasant surprise. Oh, it will be. Pleasant and overdue. See, Mary's is a fine place for the black community of Chicago. They need a good pastor. I'm thrilled to can be. When can I introduce myself? They're waiting to meet their new pastor now. Here we are. Right through here. Wait a minute, Bishop. Hey, you all right, Father? I'm thinking of the last night I saw my dad. He said to me, you gotta be free, son. Free to learn. Free to live. Free to go wherever God can. Free to live. Free to go wherever God calls you. I think my calling began that night. God planted a seed and to be here now to serve my own people as a priest. I feel that it's finally come into fruition. Then let's not waste a moment. Oh, man. Everyone, everyone. I'd like you to meet your new pastor. Father Augustus Tolton. Hello, everyone. I'm Father Tolton. Father Tolton, we've been waiting a long time for you. Father Augustus Tolton served as the pastor to Chicago's African American Catholics for eight transformative years, guiding a growing community with unwavering dedication. He played a pivotal role in founding St. Monica's, a national parish built by and for Chicago's Black Catholic community. Tragically, he died at the young age of 43 after suffering heat stroke during the 1897 Chicago heat wedding. While his legacy is marked by his powerful preaching and leadership in both religious and social spheres, it is his deep personal commitment to the well-being of his parishioners at St. Monica's that endure his most profoundly. His influence continues to resonate in Chicago today. Blessed Augustus Tolton, pray for us. Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from the Marybakers. Thank you for listening to The Saints. To listen to more thrilling adventures and to discover new Saints, go to the Saintspodcast.com. The Marybakers is the entertainment division of relevant radio.
