By Teresa Phillips

The Saintly Seven: Black Catholics on the Path to Sainthood

Last month, we introduced the Saintly Seven—the seven current African American candidates for canonization. In April 2026, the Archdiocesan Anti-Racism Task Force hosted the first of eight monthly events that will highlight one of those seven candidates. The final session in November will celebrate Black Catholic History Month. These sessions will be live-streamed to enable everyone to join the conversation and reflection. 

Mother Lange founded the first Catholic religious congregation for women of African descent in the United States: the Oblate Sisters of Providence, in Baltimore, Maryland. The Oblates were founded in 1829, when chattel slavery was in practice and congregations of white women religious would not accept women of color.

Born in Cuba around 1784, Elizabeth Clarisse Lange immigrated to the United States in the early 19th century, eventually settling in Baltimore where there was a large population of free people of color. However, schools for black children were scarce and discouraged. Thus, Lange began teaching children in her home, with her deep Catholic faith shaping her life’s mission of both academic and religious education for the black population in Baltimore.

In 1829, through the encouragement and support of Sulpician priest Fr. James Hector Joubert, Lange founded the order and took the religious name Sr. Mary Lange. Founding the Oblate Sisters of Providence was a dream come true for Mother Lange as she had for years felt the call to consecrate her life and work to God but did not see a way to do so. At that time, black men and women were not allowed to enter religious life in the American Church. Their mission was to educate black children, care for those in poverty, and provide spiritual support for the community.

At a time when both slavery and racial prejudice were deeply entrenched in American society, the congregation offered hope, dignity, and opportunity to free people of color. Their school, St. Frances Academy, is one of the oldest continuously operating Black Catholic schools in the country and still exists today.

Living nearly 100 years, Mother Mary Lange witnessed dramatic changes in American society, including the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. She died in 1882, leaving behind a vibrant religious community and lasting educational legacy. Her cause for sainthood was opened in 1991, and she was declared Venerable by Pope Francis in 2023. Her life is a powerful testimony to the transformative impact of education, faith, and courage in the face of injustice.

Teresa Phillips is Director of the Office of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.