Currents News Staff
She died 140 years ago this week and is known in Baltimore’s Catholic community for the trailblazing work she did to educate people.
Now for Mother Mary Lange, a community honor may soon be followed by one even greater – to perhaps become the first black saint in the United States.
In honor of the 140th anniversary of her feast day, Archbishop William Lori and the Oblate Sisters dedicated and blessed the chapel in the first new Catholic school built by the Archdiocese of Baltimore in nearly 60 years – named after Mother Mary Lange.
“She’s a great pioneer, great woman of courage, great educator. And I couldn’t think of a better role model or more appropriate person to name the school after,” said Lori.
The trailblazing Catholic black woman was born in Santiago, Cuba and immigrated to Baltimore in the early 1800’s.
“She opened up a little school in her home in Fells Point, by and by founded a religious order and opened-up what is today Saint Frances Academy, and founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence – the only African American community in the world,” said Lori.
Now, Mother Lange is on the path to becoming the nation’s first black saint, and she continues to inspire future generations to follow in her footsteps for years to come.
“It’s very nice to see an African American woman so, to love Jesus and to not let anything stop her, even though all of the adversities that she faced,” said student Jaylah Golder.
Mother Lange’s cause for canonization to sainthood is under review by the Vatican.
In general, two miracles need to be accepted by the church as having occurred through the intercession of the prospective saint — one for beatification and one for canonization.