Celebrating American Catholic History
Thankfully, the witness of American Catholics have started to impact the global Church as many are being recognized for their lives of love, devotion and sacrifice.
While the names St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Bishop Fulton Sheen, Mother Cabrini, and Fr. Augustus Tolton are becoming better known, at least in Catholic circles, there are some American Catholics whose cause are just opening.
Antonio Cuipa, Servant of God (??-1704)
Christians have long known the power of music when it comes to evangelization. In the land that is now Florida, this son of an Apalachee chief, carpenter and flautist would use his musical abilities to connect with people in his travels, then sharing with them the Gospel. He would play music and whittle flutes for others to play along with him, then speak with them about Jesus.
Cuipa stands alongside those now considered the Martyrs of La Florida. It was during his death that he experienced a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, just as the Hail Mary prayer asks her to be “with us now and at the hour of our death.” Though this is not a confirmed Marian apparition, it is the earliest reported vision.
Julia Greeley, Servant of God (1833-1918)
You would be hard-pressed to find a more exciting story of adventure in American Catholic Saintly history than “one-eyed” Julia’s. Having lost the use of one eye because of an attack by her slave master, Julia, being freed after the Civil War, became a model of turning the evil against her toward the good of others.
Though not born Catholic, not long after moving to Denver Julia fell in love with the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and converted to Catholicism. She would later develop a devotion to St. Francis of Assisi because of his commitment to poverty. This would influence her decision to become a secular Franciscan and devote her own life to radical charity.
Because of her honesty, Greeley was hired by wealthy families and paid decently. With this money she bought a wagon that she towed around her neighborhood carrying extra groceries for families in need. This led to her nickname, the “Angel of Charity.”
Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, Venerable (1867-1954)
Like many Saints, Mary Tallon was a trailblazer in the field of evangelization. Before “relational ministry” became a buzzword in Christian and Catholic circles, Tallon had founded a religious congregation of women, the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, focused on the prayer of contemplating the truths of Catholicism and the work of door-to-door connection with lapsed and fallen-away Catholics.
Born in New York to Irish immigrants, Tallon first served the Holy Cross Sisters as a teacher for 33 years before God called her to this new challenge. Her leadership and personality led to the expansion of her order around the United States and internationally. Her cause was opened in 2013 and now has been approved by Pope Leo XIV.
John Rick Miller, Servant of God (1948-2015)
The most recent American cause opening is that of John Rick Miller, who climbed the business ladder to become CEO of pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca. Like previously mentioned Julia Greeley, Miller held a strong devotion to the Sacred Heart. Like Mary Tallon, Miller’s administrative and leadership skills led to the founding of religious apostolates to foster knowledge and devotion.
Miller founded “For the Love of God Worldwide” and “Apostolate of St. Joseph,” both international organizations promoting devotion and prayer. Finally, like Antonio Cuipo, Miller’s actions were inspired by a desire to share the Gospel with others and connect them to God.
As we celebrate the 250th birthday, let’s also celebrate these American Catholics who have helped build, shape, and serve this country!