Quincy Illinois, 1878. Gus is thriving at St. Francis College. He excels in his studies and on the debate team. But despite these successes, Gus receives rejections from seminaries all over the world. Soon he'll run out of places to apply to them. Gus always believed God was calling him to the priesthood. But what seminary will accept him? The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage. A Gus is told them. Episode 4, Abandoned by my own. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at TheSaintsPodcast.com. This is your 30-second warning, Finestron. You can't have both particular and general just discuss. An individual can't serve his community if he isn't provided the means to do so. But provided by whom? By the community, of course. And who is that? Family, neighbors, the whole collection of individual. There it is. When we talk about individuals, we mean every member of a community. And when all those members focus on how they can serve that community as a whole, they wind up serving every individual by default. Both general and particular justice are achieved. If everyone is on board with that. Sure. That's the snag. And the chiming of the bell brings this match to an end. Gus, Lewis, an excellent debate. Well done. And we'll pick up with more of the same tomorrow. Thank you, gentlemen. One of these days, Gus, I'll send you running out of here with your tail between your legs. I wouldn't give you the satisfaction. You take care. Sure. I'll see you tomorrow. You continue to impress, Maytolton. Thank you, Father Richard. Not many people who can so effectively argue both sides of an issue. Looking at things from many points of view, helps us see where there's been injustice that needs to be addressed. Well said. Your rhetorical skills have matured Augustus. They'll serve you well in the priesthood. I'll have to get into a seminary first. And how's that coming along? Well, the United States doesn't seem ready for a Negro priest. I've started applying overseas. It's just deplorable. The church needs men like you Augustus. I'd like to start serving her people right now if only she left me. I have a thought. Grab your books. Come with me. It used to be a Lutheran church. Must have been a long time ago. It was. The building belongs to the parish of St. Boniface now, but they have no use for it. Excuse me. Should have warned you it might be a bit dusty. I hope we're not here to teach debating skills to pigeons. I'm hoping you can use the space to teach people, though that roof will need some patching first. Catechism classes to the Negro children of Quincy. Me? Wouldn't it be better if they were let by a priest? You know and value the teachings of the church as well as any priest, Gus. I suppose it would go a long way for them to hear those teachings from a Negro man. To hear them and to see you living them out. And it wouldn't hurt my chances for entering the seminary. Exactly. Gus, if I get permission from St. Boniface to use this old building, will you do it? I'll do it, Father. Nothing would give me greater joy. I'm glad you decided to join us after all, Margaret. Mama said I had to. Well, I'll try to make it so you want to stick around. I'm not the only girl, Emma. One of five today. Along with six or seven boys, I think. I suppose that's all right. Margaret's here, Sister Herlinda. Wonderful. I'm glad you decided to join us. Mama said I had to. You'll be glad she did. Why don't you go on and find yourself a seat with the others? Shall we get started? Yes, it's time. Good morning, everyone. Let's have some quiet for just a minute. Quiet. Quiet. I think I know most of you. But for the few I haven't met, my name is Mr. Totten. Though now that I say that out loud, I think I'd rather you just call me Gus. This year, Lady Beside me is Sister Herlinda. Good morning, children. I'm going to lead Catics and Classes here in the front of the church. Sister is going to move to the back to practice reading and writing with anyone who needs some help. Before we split our groups, does anyone have any questions? I do. Yes, Margaret. What's Catacism? Catacism. Who knows why I go to Mass? Because your mama makes you. No, Margaret, not exactly. I go because I was looking at the Sacred Host one Sunday, and I recognize Jesus. And I fell in love. It's true. That's why he made me. That's why he made all of us. To know him, to love him, and to serve him. The Catacism is a bit like learning the ABCs. But instead of letters, we learn how to know and love Jesus. Makes sense? I didn't think we had to learn how to love. I thought we just did it. One, Margaret. The Bible tells us that God is love. The more we know God, the better we can love. Does that make sense? Yes, sir. Sounds good to everyone. All right. Let's get started then. Hail Mary, full of grace, gorgeous with thee. Blessed are thou most women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, praver us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Father Richard. Father McGear, I wasn't expecting to see you until mass on Sunday. A letter, lad. Here. A London address. The Saint Joseph Society. I had to run out and find you. I couldn't wait. I could. Don't be silly. Open it. Right. Just give me a second, father. God's will be done, Augustus. Yes, sir. All right. Here goes. I don't like the look on your face. Rejected. Why? They think it'd be better for me to study right here where I'm needed. Confound it. That's not an option. We told them that. We told them that. What don't they understand? All right. No more. What do you mean no more? I've had enough of rejection, father. I don't blame you. But you can't walk away from this until you've tried Rome herself. No one in Rome is going to take the time to investigate my case. I don't mean investigation. Gus, I mean seminary. In Rome? Orbaniana, it's called. The Pontifical Urban University. They educate priests and religious specifically for the purpose of missionary work. Why would they accept a black man from America? It is at far fetched. Do you know how many international students Rome draws each year? Father, I don't think I could handle another rejection. It's Rome, Augustus. The heart of the church. She won't say no. Okay then. One last try. Let's run over to the rectory and write up a letter to the faculty. Tomorrow. I have somewhere I need to be. Ah, yes, of course. Your Friday evening ministry. I still marvel at how you took your saloon job in St. Louis and turned it into a way to minister to the folks at saloons here in Quincy. Trust me, it was harder back then when I couldn't speak up. As long as I can speak to the men, I have a chance of reaching them. That was four years ago. Feels like 40. So I guess you could say I'd been spending my nights here for the last 40 years. What was his name? William. I'm sorry. Yeah. So am I. You ever lost a child? No. I lost my dad in the war. I have a Quincy lost their dad in the war. I'm sure it's not the same. It ain't. Not even close. Can I buy you around? No thanks. Can you see yourself? You don't seem at all happy. Hey, half way. It's exactly why I'm here. You've been listening? It doesn't seem like drinking yourself blind each night, is it? It's not supposed to help. It's supposed to make me forget. Only problem is now I can't stop. What if I could direct you somewhere that would help? Actually help. And where would that be? I lead a temperance society over its impatriates. I know papiced. But you're not in good shape. That's all you need to qualify. Clear off, will you? I can give you my name. I'm Gus. Charles. Charles. If you give it a chance, I promise. That you'll not only get help with your drinking, you'll find some healing for your hurt too. I don't think so, Gus. We'll be here the same day and time next week. Will you do me a favor and think about it till then? I'll think about it. Thanks, Gus. My pleasure, Margaret. I can't wait for next week. Bye, Sister Helena. We'll see you next week, dear. To think we almost couldn't convince her to join us at the start. That's the Holy Spirit for you. Don't sell yourself short, Gus. It's you too. These kids are going to miss you when you find a seminary. We ran over as soon as we saw the kids filing out. Good morning, Father McGherr. Father Richard. Good morning, Sister. Why the haste? Here. From Rome? Urbaniana received our letter. This response just arrived. Would you like me to step out, Gus? No, please, Sister. I'd like you to stay. I can have got through the last few months of waiting without your help. Well, go on. Don't make us wait any longer. Will you open it, Father Richard? I've been hoping for good news for years. This letter feels like it's got a lot of weight on it. I don't know if I can open it myself. If you're sure, I'm sure. Here. All right. Here we go. Well, Gus, they've rejected me. Haven't they? I'm sorry, Gus. They said that. No. Please don't. I don't want the reason. It doesn't matter. I guess I was wrong all along. And I wasted my time. Then, George. Acustus. My dear friend, please don't go. Acustus. Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from The Marybeggers. Tune in to Episode 5. We've been waiting to hear the next installment of Augustus Totten. Listen to all the episodes and discovered news shows at the saintspodcast.com. The Marybeggers is the entertainment division of relevant radio.
