Racism and Three Saints to Combat It

As racism dominates the news and social media, it is important to remember the Church’s stance on this matter.  The Church has always affirmed the equal value of each and every person, starting with Christ.  The Catechism states:

The Church, following the apostles, teaches that Christ died for all men without exception: ‘There is not, never has been, and never will be a single human being for whom Christ did not suffer (CCC 605).

This does not mean that every person is guaranteed salvation.  It means that all people have the same value in the eyes of God and should in our eyes as well.

As Catholics, it is very important to represent the Church’s actual stance on this racism as we engage in these conversations.  Here are three saints who are the perfect companions as we approach the unrest around this issue.

Saint Moses the Black: A Slave Turned Monk

Saint Moses the Black is a first-century saint who started his life as a slave but was dismissed because of suspicious behavior.  He was a passionate individual and lived a violent life.  When trouble led him to take shelter with a group of monks, he was struck by their piety and discipline.  He decided to leave his former life to join their order.

It was a difficult transition, but Moses soon became a leader and considered a prophet in the order.  The same energy which drove his bad habits came to fuel his holy ambitions.  His refusal to engage in violent behavior after becoming a monk-led to the conversion of a whole group of thieves.  It also caused his martyrdom.

Moses the Black is the patron saint of Africa.  He is the perfect saint to ask for strength as the current effort against racism continues to take violent turns.  Moses found great peace and purpose by turning his life over to God and adopting a peaceful way.  He managed to convert and touch hearts through his enthusiastic embrace of peace and suffering for others.  May we ask his intercession to help turn these violent demonstrations into more purposeful ways of communicating the concern.

Saint Peter Claver: The Slave of Slaves

Saint Peter Claver was born in Spain and left to become a missionary in 1610.  He was ordained as a priest and went to evangelize in Cartagena, where the slave trade was thriving in the Americas at the time.  Peter arrived to carry on the work of his predecessor Fr. Alfonso (also a saint), declaring himself “the slave of Negroes forever.”

Peter would brave the horrid conditions of the ships as the slaves arrived to offer them medical and spiritual attention.  He moved among them in the yards, using local interpreters to remind the slaves of their worth in God’s eyes.  He baptized hundreds of thousands of slaves during his missionary work.

When traveling he would choose the slaves quarters over the hospitality offered to him.  His charity led society to judge him.  But no one could deter him from being a powerful preacher and witness to God’s love in the face of racism.

He died after spending four years sick and bedridden, with only a young slave to attend to him.  His grand funeral proved he made a big impact on the society that judged him while he was alive.  He is the patron saint of missionary work among black slaves.

Peter was devoted to helping and treating these slaves as the dignified humans that they were, even to the point of bringing hardship and discrimination against himself.  His actions are a stark reminder of God’s attitude toward people.  To Peter, racism did not exist.  There was no superficial barrier preventing him from stooping to serve those societies viewed as less equal.  May we remember his example when we do confront problematic attitudes that would treat some as less dignified than others.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta: God’s Pencil

Saint Teresa of Calcutta, more commonly known as Mother Teresa, is a modern saint who became famous worldwide for her tireless service to the poorest in her community.  Her attraction to missionary work from a young age led her to join a religious order in India at 18.  Her first job was to teach affluent high school students.  But, she was always distracted by the great poverty surrounding her.

After receiving a clear calling from God, Mother Teresa left her first order with permission and started the Missionaries of Charity.  She started on her new mission to minister to the sick and homeless in the streets with great zeal.  She did this difficult work for decades, even while struggling with intense spiritual darkness.

Her work inspired a global movement to help and fund her efforts.  She was an advocate for the forsaken of all backgrounds and nationalities.  When she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, she used her acceptance speech to preach about God’s love and call for an end to the worst crime against innocent humanity: abortion (her entire speech is compelling and worth a read, it can be found here).

She passed away of natural causes in 1997, leaving behind a legacy of selfless charity.  Her prioritization of each person’s need for respect in every phase of life is a reminder for those struggling with racism as well.  For Mother Teresa, there was no difference.  A person on the street, a person in a mansion, a person in the womb, each deserved to feel loved and seen, no matter his or her story, skin color, or religion.

Racism is Not the Catholic Way

May we keep these powerhouse saints in our minds and hearts as we respond to the current concerns.  Speaking against racism does not mean condoning the ways everyone is handling the issue.  It does not mean you have to be hyper-paranoid or demean your own value in the process of defending another.  Approaching racism as a Catholic simply means treating each person as a brother or sister in Christ, no matter what.

I will end with the closing lines of Mother Teresa’s Nobel Prize speech:

And so, my prayer for you is that truth will bring prayer in our homes, and from the foot of prayer will be that we believe that in the poor it is Christ. And we will really believe, we will begin to love. And we will love naturally, we will try to do something. First in our own home, next door neighbor in the country we live, in the whole world. And let us all join in that one prayer, God give us courage to protect the unborn child, for the child is the greatest gift of God to a family, to a nation and to the whole world. God bless you!