Sister Thea's story

 

Born December 29, 1937, in Yazoo City, Miss., Thea was reared as a Methodist until at age nine when she asked her parents if she could become a Catholic.

Gifted with a brilliant mind, beautiful voice and a dynamic personality, Sr. Thea shared the message of God's love through a teaching career. After 16 years of teaching, at the elementary, secondary and university level, the bishop of Jackson, Miss., invited her to become the consultant for intercultural awareness.

In her role as consultant Sr. Thea, an African-American, gave presentations across the country; lively gatherings that combined singing, gospel preaching, prayer and storytelling. Her programs were directed to break down racial and cultural barriers. She encouraged people to communicate with one another so that they could understand other cultures and races.

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. In 1989, the U.S. bishops invited her to be a key speaker at their conference on Black Catholics. At the end of the meeting, at Thea's invitation, the bishops stood and sang "We Shall Overcome" with gusto.

Thea lived a full life. She fought evil, especially prejudice, suspicion, hatred and things that drive people apart. She fought for God and God's people until her death in 1990.

Thea Prayer Card (pdf file)

 

Thea in the news

• Sister Thea Bowman interview featured on the National Catholic Reporter (click on "powerful stuff") and Beliefnet.com blogs July-August 2010. On July 30 and August 1, 2010, bloggers featured an interview with Sister Thea Bowman, "Let me live until I die," from U.S. Catholic 1990, as the topic for their spiritual blogs.
• Encounter with sister was 'unforgettable' by Mary Z. McGrath, The Catholic Spirit, July 29, 2010.
• "Authors tell the story of a remarkable black nun" by Rachelle Linner, Catholic News Service. July 2010. Reprinted in Catholic Standard, Diocese of Washginton, DC; The Witness, Diocese of Dubuque; The Catholic Light, Diocese of Scranton.
• Sister Thea Bowman watercolor by Mary Lou Ferguson, La Crosse, WI. July 2010.
• "Sister Thea Bowman, Communicator of Joy" by Antoinette Bosco, The Bottom Line column, Catholic News Service, July 19, 2010. - Reprinted in The Catholic Spirit, Diocese of St.Paul.
• "A Dress for Sister Thea" by Carole Greene, Associate Editor, CNS-Catholic News Service, Washington, D.C.
• "Sister who preached 'true truths'" by Tom Roberts, editor-at-large, National Catholic Reporter, June 10, 2010
• The amazing grace of Sister Thea. Brook chronicles insipired life of Franciscan nun by Geri Parlin, La Crosse Tribune, May 2, 2010
• A Tablet Forum to Remember by Ed Wilkinson, The Tablet Diocese of Brooklyn NY May 8, 2010
• Thea Forum Sister Thea Kept on Trying by Alice Mikolyzk, The Tablet, Diocese of Brooklyn, May 8, 2010
• Sister Thea Bowman Her Song Lives On in April 28, 2010 newsletter Friar Jack's E-spirations on americancatholic. org. This article was repeated on AARP blog with positive comment.
• Siena College Celebrates Sister Thea, April 15-16, 2010
• Talk to recall Sister Thea Bowman by Barbara Oliver, Albany Evangelist, April 8, 2010
• 20th Anniversary Thea Foundation dinner April 22, 2010. Photos by Kamie Schoonhaven, Duquesne University art department.
• Sister Thea Foundation Celebrating Twenty Years of Serving, Supporting and Educating Black Youth in America. 14th Annual Scholarship Dinner
• Held Fast in Peace by Barbara Reid, OP, America magazine, April 5, 2010
• Thea's Song Orbis Book of the Month book review by Michael Leach
• A Soulful Pray-er, Thea's Song book review in America Magazine, April 12, 2010
• Catholic News Service - Priest says late nun had ability to bring all races, cultures together
• New consolidated school named Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy will serve Pittsburgh’s East End
• CNS reprising Thea's "Let us strive to make this week holy . . ." this year 20 years after her homegoing
• Sister Thea Revisited by Mary Queen Donnelly
• 20th annual memorial service at Sister Thea's gravesite held March 30
• Songs, art celebrate Thea Bowman's Legacy in Canton, Miss.
• Thea's Song featured in Viterbo's Lumen
• Sister Thea Bowman featured in Brooklyn Diocese 4th Tablet Forum - Tablet Forum Series ad
• Vanessa Bush reviews Thea's Song for Booklist.
• Katharyn L. Waldron reviews Thea's Song for amazon.com
• Thea Bowman, FSPA, featured April 29, 2010, at 4th annual Tablet Forum, Brooklyn, NY
• Art and musical celebration of the life of Sr. Thea Bowman featuring Bro. Michael O’Neill McGrath
• "The Courage of Sister Thea Bowman" by Fr. Maurice J. Nutt, CSsR, appears in the March 2010 Ligourian magazine.
• Thea's Song book review from “Turning the Pages,” edited by Barbara Beckwith, from St. Anthony Messenger magazine, copyright © March 2010. Used by permission of St. Anthony Messenger Press, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. 800-488-0488. www.americancatholic.org. All rights reserved.”
• Sharing a 'Shooting Star:' Sister Charlene writes Thea's Song
• Thea-logy - This article originally appeared in the February 2010 issue of U.S. Catholic magazine. To order, call 1-800-328-6515 or visit uscatholic.org.

 

2009 articles

• 20th anniversary celebration of Thea Foundation

• Seattle man shares memories of Sister Thea in article printed in The Catholic Northwest Progress
• Columbia magazine article mentions renewal of Sister Thea Bowman Foundation-Knights of Columbus scholarships
• Sister Thea Bowman Still Speaks - reprinted from CUA Magazine, the alumni magazine of The Catholic University of America.
• Holy Names Church and School, Memphis, Tenn., commemorate the anniversary of Sister Thea’s death.
• Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation celebrates 13th Annual Scholarship Dinner and looks ahead to 20th anniversary celebration
• Saintly figures: Bowman, Rahner and Climacus
• Father Nutt begins tour for `Thea Bowman, In My Own Words’
• Duquesne University Magazine article on Sister Thea Bowman - A Foundation for Learning
• St. Anthony Messenger book review: This Little Light: Lessons in Living from Sister Thea Bowman
• Sister Thea Bowman in church painting
• Thea Bowman Preparatory Academy featured in Hill Rag
• Br. Michael O'Neill McGrath announces release of This Little Light
• Friends of Sister Thea Bowman Humanitarian Legacy Award 15th Annual Luncheon
• The Sister Thea Bowman Black Educational Foundation Twelfth Annual Scholarship Dinner
• Amber Watson Receives Sister Thea Bowman Humantarian Legacy Award
• Musician Caroline Herring tackles segregation
• Thea Bowman House
• Sister Thea Cartoon
• Thea Bowman by Kysa Daniels
• Thea Article by Gayda Hollnagel 2005

 

Thea News Archive (pdf files)

Thea News March 2008
Thea News March 2007
Thea News March 2006
Thea News September 2005
Thea News March 2005
Thea News September 2004
Thea News March 2004
Thea News September 2003
Thea News March 2003
Thea News September 2002
Thea News March 2002