Thea Bowman

Untitled Slide

• In 1989, a year before her death from cancer, the U.S. bishops invited Sr Thea Bowman, to be a key speaker at their conference on Black Catholics
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6pBrBOawII

"Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make change, but if each one would light a candle, we'd have tremendous light" - Thea Bowman

Sister Thea Bowman

• Born Bertha Bowman in the small town of Canton, Mississippi
• Her Grandfather was a slave, her father was a physician, her mother was a teacher
• Bowman was raised in a Methodist home, but converted to the Roman Catholic faith at the age of 9
• In 1969 Thea received a masters in English, and in 1972 a Ph.D. in English Language, Literature, and Linguistics

"She makes doers of watchers, makes people more aware of their own gifts and potentials, and puts races in touch with one another. Her ministry is a ministry of joy." - Boston College

Significant Events

• In 1953, at the age of 15, Sister Thea left Mississippi to join the Franciscan Sisters in Wisconsin. She was the only black member in the convent.
• Thea took her final vows in 1963
• From 1972-1978 Thea taught African American literature at Viterbo college.
• While there she founded and directed the “Hallelujah Singers” who became well known and highly popular for their singing of African American spirituals.

Contributions to Church

• Thea began to impact American Catholicism by providing an intellectual, spiritual, and historical and cultural foundation for developing a distinct worship form for black Catholics.

Contributions Cont.

• Thea gained both respect among Catholic leaders for urging them to offer religious services that reflected different cultural styles of music and worship.
• Thea also modeled her diversity by wearing African-style gowns and wearing her long hair in traditional braids.
• Thea challenged the Church to adapt itself culturally to various expressions in order to retain vitality and growth.

Sister Bowman has been a teacher and frequently worked with children to help them grow in awareness of their gifts and of their cultural heritage. Through song, dance, poetry, drama and story, she communicates joy, freedom and pride, using traditional Black teaching techniques that are holistic, participatory and reality focused.

In 1984, Sr. Thea was diagnosed with breast cancer. She prayed "to live until I die." Her prayer was answered, and Thea continued her gatherings seated in a wheelchair.

Embodying Models of the Church

• The Church as a Body of Christ
• The Church as Herald of God's Word
• The Church as a Servant
• The Church as a Community of Disciples

Lesson for Today

• Sister Thea Bowman would urge us to communicate with one another so that we could understand other cultures and races

Sister Thea Bowman
(1937-1990)
"The main African American spokesperson for the church to heighten its intercultural and interracial awareness."

Works Cited

• Bowman, Thea. "Thea Bowman Quotes." Thea Bowman Quotes (Author of Thea Bowman). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2015.
• "Sister Thea Bowman's Story." Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA). N.p., 19 May 2014. Web. 03 Mar. 2015.