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ABSTRACT:
It is a commonly accepted truth that saints cannot develop in isolation. Instead, saints are individuals who serve as examples to others. While not yet canonized Thea Bowman, the subject of this paper, made a tremendous contribution both to the Franciscan family and to the entire Catholic Church in the United States.
While religious congregations made every effort to return to their original charism after the second Vatican Council, congregations of the Franciscan Third Order had particular struggles with identity. Because of difficulties with canon law, they often had a number of founders and a number of charisms. In addition to these struggles, Thea, as an African-American woman, found herself dealing with issues of racial and cultural diversity. Thea's courage, strength, and Franciscan willingness to embrace community allowed her both to create a more welcoming cultural environment, and to facilitate ongoing dialogue around issues of diversity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Nettles is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. She holds a BA in music education, and is completing a Master's degree in Franciscan Studies.
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1 comment:
Laura
This is a very well-written, fair account of Thea as I knew her. Her life and times of struggle with her Black and FSPA identity were very real for her and for the community who loved her into wholeness in the ways we knew how.
I appreciate this balanced "hagiographical" article. As Ronald Rohlheiser states in "The Holy Longing" (p. 8) , "A saint is one who can, precisely, channel powerful eros in a creative, life-giving way." Thea is a saint in this regard - with or without the official seal of approval.
Jean Moore, FSPA
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