Harold Burke-Sivers

I've been interested in the story of Servant of God Fr. Augustus Tolton ever since I first heard of him during a graduate class on American Catholic history. This interest blossomed into a small devotion when, while working in the diocese where Fr. Tolton first ministered and in which he is buried, his cause for canonization began.

Dcn. Burke-Sivers' small book is not a biography of Fr. Tolton. He covers the priest's life from birth to death in just 11 pages. The remainder of the book is an extended discourse on various topics -- prayer, a culture of life, racism, family life -- only loosely tied to the life of Fr. Tolton. This isn't to say the book is bad, although the topical reflections don't tread much new ground for an informed Catholic. (The one exception is the chapter on racism, which pulls together insights from a number of recent documents and episcopal statements.) But if you're looking for a full biography I recommend Sr. Caroline Hemsath's book or even the graphic novel of Fr. Tolton's life.… (mehr)