Join the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois for a pilgrimage commemorating the anniversary of the death of Venerable Father Augustine Tolton, the first recognized Black priest in the United States whose Cause for Canonization is underway.

The one-mile pilgrimage begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Father Tolton statue outside St. Peter Catholic Church. Following a brief welcome and opening prayer, pilgrims will process to St. Peter Catholic Cemetery, where Father Tolton is buried.

Upon arriving at the cemetery at approximately 6:15 p.m., participants will celebrate Evening Prayer at Father Tolton’s grave. The gathering will also include prayers:

• for Father Tolton’s canonization,
• for an end to racism,
• and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood through his intercession.

The pilgrimage concludes with the singing of Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, Father Tolton’s favorite hymn.

Those who are unable to walk the procession are welcome to meet the group at the cemetery for Evening Prayer. Please park near the cemetery, as parking within the cemetery is limited. Chairs and bottled water will be provided.

Father Augustine Tolton was born into slavery in 1854 and escaped with his family to Quincy during the Civil War. After being denied admission to American seminaries because of his race, he studied for the priesthood in Rome before returning to minister in Quincy and later Chicago. He was declared Venerable in 2019, the second step toward sainthood.

For more information about the future Father Tolton Shrine in Quincy, visit toltonshrine.org.