Servant of God Thea Bowman was a 20th century Black religious sister and in-demand speaker. Her talks frequently “included spontaneous song and highlighted the joy of diversity and the demands of unity in Christ.” In 1989, she became the first Black woman to address the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Her cause for canonization was opened in 2018.
Bertha Elizabeth Bowman was born in Mississippi December 29, 1937. Her family was Protestant, but she converted to Catholicism as a child after being drawn to the faith through the witness of others. In 1953, at the age of fifteen, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and took the name Sr. Mary Thea. She soon became known as Sr. Thea. She earned a PhD and taught at Catholic University of America and Xavier University. At Xavier, she helped found the Institute of Black Catholic Studies.
We Are Beloved: 30 Days with Thea Bowman edited by Karianna Frey offers daily quotes from Sr. Thea, a short statement to ponder throughout the day, and then a prayer written by Frey to be used at the end of the day.
Each day’s reflections offered much to think about. Sr. Thea spoke and wrote on serving the Lord, the value of freedom, the importance of diversity, the power of spirituals, the innate value of each human being, and the significance of family.
One beautiful quote from Sr. Thea to reflect on is:
“If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain. Let us meditate on those words and carry them in our hearts and carry them into our homes, into our neighborhoods, and teach them to our children.”
Frey’s prayers add much to the book as well. While reading this book, I was blown away by how much her prayers spoke to my heart. Here is an excerpt from one prayer that is especially valuable for mothers:
“As I walk through the rooms of my home, may I always remember your presence with me and my family. Fill the hearts of my family with peace and love, crowding out annoyance and anger, and that the peace and love that we experience at home spills out to our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and surrounding communities. Help m e to find joy in the mundane; may my daily tasks become symphonies of praise.”
We Are Beloved: 30 Days with Thea Bowman is a beautiful book, perfect for an at-home retreat. It will give you much to ponder and pray about. Sr. Thea has much to teach all of us.
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