An anonymous benefactor of the film about Venerable Augustine Tolton is seeking a miracle this Christmas season. On a number of occasions, “Peter” (not his real name) has worked behind the scenes on Across, the short film - and developing feature film – about the first black priest in the United States. But, as zealous as Peter is about film, his first passion is the health and happiness of his family. Unfortunately, his son “Charley” (also a pseudonym) has long suffered from a debilitating disease.
Director Christopher Foley and Bishop Perry on EWTN Live, December 18.
Due to his association with the film, Peter was intimately familiar with the Tolton story. But, it wasn’t until he saw the recent EWTN interview with Bishop Perry and Director Christopher Foley that he decided to turn to the intercession of the man who will likely be the first African American canonized saint.
“I happened to be in the parking lot of the place where I had a meeting last year about Across,” said Peter. “I was waiting there for another meeting, and finally had a moment to watch the EWTN piece on my phone. I am still processing all this, but – when I saw the interview – it just all connected together in one moment. I was inspired to pray to Father Tolton for a healing for Charley.”
Venerable Augustine Tolton (1854-1897)
Peter and his wife are starting a special novena to Venerable Augustine TODAY, Christmas, 2019 until January 2nd. Each day, they will pray the official Father Tolton prayer, written by Bishop Joseph Perry, the auxiliary bishop of Chicago who heads the canonization process for Tolton. In Catholic tradition, a novena (Latin for “nine”) of prayers has special power. Often associated with the nine months of the Blessed Virgin’s pregnancy or the nine days of prayer between the Ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Ghost, novena prayers take a myriad of shapes and forms. Some of the early Church Fathers associated the number nine as symbolic of the imperfection of man. Nine gets as close to God, symbolized by a perfect ten, as possible… asking Him to take our prayer the final distance.
“I’ve met Charley a number of times,” said Foley. “He is probably the nicest kid I’ve ever talked with. He never complains about his condition, and always carries a big smile on his face. If there is anyone deserving of a miracle, it’s Charley. I hope all the supporters of Across can join me in this very special prayer to Father Tolton.”
Crutches and canes left behind at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, WI - a place of many miraculous cures due to intercessory prayer.
Foley explained that he especially hopes non-Catholics can join in the prayer to Venerable Augustine. “When Catholics ask for the intercession of holy people who have died, all we are asking is the same we would ask of friends and family still with us. We are saying, ‘Father Tolton, since you are so close to Our Lord, could you please pray for Charley?’ How is that any different than asking, ‘Aunt Betty, could you please pray for Charley?’”
Peter asked to remain anonymous for this article because Charley does not like to draw attention to himself: “He’s a very private young man, and would rather talk about sports headlines than his health issues.”
A number of miracles have already been attributed to the intercession of “Father Gus,” including two that have been submitted to scrutiny at the Vatican. In order to be raised from “Venerable” to Saint, at least two healings must be found to have no natural cause.
Click here for the text of the official Venerable Augustine Tolton prayer.