The path toward sainthood for Sister Mary Thea Bowman, a pioneering Black Catholic nun whose work reshaped ministry to African American Catholics, has reached a major milestone after the Diocese of Jackson officially closed the diocesan phase of her canonization process.
During a special Mass held Feb. 9, 2026, Bishop Joseph Kopacz presided over a closing ceremony that sealed years of documentation, testimonies, and research into Bowman’s life and legacy. The materials will now be sent to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints for further review.
Kopacz described the moment as historic, saying Bowman’s life continues to inspire “faith, hope, and joy” across the United States and beyond.
A Legacy Rooted in Faith and Justice
Born Dec. 29, 1937, in Yazoo City, Bowman was the granddaughter of an enslaved person and the daughter of a physician and teacher. She converted from Methodism to Catholicism at age nine, setting her on a lifelong spiritual path.
At 15, she joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration while attending Viterbo University. She later earned a doctorate in English from The Catholic University of America in 1972.
Beyond academia, Bowman helped found the National Black Sisters’ Conference and became a major contributor to Lead Me, Guide Me, the groundbreaking Black Catholic hymnal first published in 1987.
A Historic Step Toward Canonization
At the closing ceremony, stacks of sealed documents detailing Bowman’s life were prepared for transfer to Rome, where Vatican officials will compile a formal summary known as a positio. The dossier will undergo theological review before potentially advancing to the Pope for the next stage.
Church officials say Bowman’s candidacy carries particular significance: there are currently no canonized African American saints in the Catholic Church. She is among seven candidates informally known as the “Saintly Seven.”
Dr. Emanuele Spedicato, postulator of Bowman’s cause, said the process aims to present her as a global example of holiness.
“What we are trying to do is really present her as an example — as a Black Catholic who ultimately met God through the heroic exercise of virtue,” he said.
A Ministry of Joy
Known for her charismatic personality and commitment to racial justice, Bowman devoted her life to bridging cultural divides within the church.
She amplified what she called a “ministry of joy,” encouraging greater inclusion of Black traditions in Catholic worship.
Her legacy continues to resonate during Black History Month, as religious leaders and historians highlight her role in reshaping American Catholic identity and advocating for racial equality within faith communities.
