February Drinking Companion
Venerable Mother Mary Lange has been on my radar for several months now, and as her day of memorial is here, February 3, I wanted to write about this woman who inspires me.
This future African American saint popped up on my radar when I watch a documentary on the future black Catholic saints of America. A Place at the Table spoke about the fact that we do not have an African American saint, but there are some people of holiness in the works of becoming the first. Since I was near Baltimore, I wanted to learn more about this woman, who’s sisters served the black community in Charlotte, NC before my time. My friend Msgr Mauricio West used to share his connections to these sister with me, which further inspired me to finally visit the first African American Catholic religious sisters.
As I shared in previous blogs, the African American spirit of the past, has long inspired me. The obstacles they over came, without political interest or influence, taught me like all Catholic saints, to keep the faith and not get distracted by the evils of the world. Mother Mary Lange exemplified this in her life as a free educated black woman, who lived in a time of slavery in Maryland. She found her calling using her resources to educated and serve those struggling in Maryland in the 1800’s, primarily those of the Caribbean who fled to Baltimore during the Haitian revolution of 1804. Later on those who needed help after the end of the Civil War.
Her unwavering trust in Divine Providence would lead her to found the first congregation of woman of African heritage, and school. This was a time that didn’t allow the African American to aspire to religious life, male or female. It was thanks to a French priest Father Jourbert S.S. that started things, after his death and suppression of the group. John Neumann (future Catholic saint) would give this order new life by assigning a fellow Redemptorist to over see the order, which was a requirement at the time for existence. This moment really resonated with me, since it’s the Redemptorist that influenced and helped me in many respects.
In close I’d like to encourage you to visit these sisters if you are near Baltimore. They are located at Our Lady of Mount Providence. They are always welcoming I have learned during my two visits. The door was open the first time and they buzzed me in the second occasion. In addition they have a small museum dedicated to her life and calling which is very inspirational. You can visit her tomb in the chapel and say a prayer before the Tabernacle. The stained glass windows also tell the beautiful story of her life. May we ask for the prayers of Venerable Mary Lange, that like her, we too may trust in Divine Providence. May we overcome the hostilities of the world, in hopes of a brighter future for everyone in union with Jesus Christ, the true unifier through the Mystical Body and Meal (The Eucharist) that bonds humans around the world together in true peace.
